title: [Genetic profiling of Giardia intestinalis by polimerase chain in human and dogs samples of Colombian Caribean Coast].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Giardia intestinalis (G. Intestinalis) is a protozoan that causes diarrheal disease and malabsorption syndrome in humans and other mammals. It presents a high genetic diversity evidenced in the recognition of 7 genotypes (A-G). Genotypes A and B are commonly associated to humans and domestic animals such as dogs. The aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary genetic characterization of G. intestinalis in humans and dogs from two cities on the Caribbean coast of Colombia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sampling areas were selected according to the highest numbers of acute diarrheal disease. Stool samples were collected from children under 7 years old, with positive medical tests for G. intestinalis. Cysts were purified by sucrose gradient and DNA samples were isolated by extraction with organic solvents. Molecular characterization was performed by amplifying the gene triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) by using a semi-nested PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 202 samples of DNA were obtained; of these, 111 were positive in coproparasitological analysis (13 dogs and 98 children). Genotype distribution in positive samples was: 5.1% belonged to genotype A and 92.3% to genotype B. Genotype B was present in humans and animals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most common genotype in both human and animal samples was genotype B, suggesting a zoonotic transmission cycle.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia. Electronic address: barroyos@unicartagena.edu.co.
authors.forename: Bárbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arroyo-Salgado
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Microbiología Clínica y Ambiental, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia.
authors.forename: Yaleyvis
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Buelvas-Montes
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Magdalena, Santa Marta, Colombia.
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Villalba-Vizcaíno
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Microbiología Clínica y Ambiental, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia.
authors.forename: Octavio
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Salomón-Arzuza
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017691:Caribbean Region; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003105:Colombia; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods; D005838:Genotype; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000235:genetics*; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
keywords: Genotipos; Genotypes; Giardia sp.; Giardiasis; Protozoa; Protozoarios; Zoonosis