Predominance of Giardia duodenalis Assemblage AII in Fresh Leafy Vegetables from a Market in Southern Brazil.
We investigated the presence of Giardia duodenalis cysts and its genotypes in raw leafy vegetables sold in a Brazilian market. These products are different from those sold in most street markets because the producers themselves display and sell their products and rely on specialized technical and sanitary assistance. Vegetable and water samples were collected from 14 (80%) producers who cultivated vegetables that are typically consumed raw for sale at the market, obtained at the market and farms, respectively. A total of 128 samples of leafy greens (chives, parsley, cabbage, arugula, watercress, and chicory) and 14 water samples were analyzed by direct immunofluorescence and PCR techniques. The positive samples were genotyped (GHD gene) using PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism. The analyses indicated that 16 (12.5%) of 128 samples were positive by PCR, while 1 (0.8%) of 128 samples were positive by immunofluorescence. Giardia cysts were not detected in the water samples obtained at the farms. The molecular technique revealed a genotype with zoonotic potential, which underscores the challenge in the control of giardiasis dissemination via the consumption of raw vegetables.
Faculdade Ingá, Maringá, Rodovia PR-317, 6114 CEP 87035-510 Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
Rogerio
R
Tiyo
State University of Maringá, Environmental Parasitology Laboratory, Avenue Colombo, 5790 CEP 87020-9000 Maringá, Paraná, Brazil. carllazangari@gmail.com.
Carla Zangari
CZ
de Souza
State University of Maringá, Environmental Parasitology Laboratory, Avenue Colombo, 5790 CEP 87020-9000 Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
Ana Flávia
AF
Arruda Piovesani
State University of Maringá, Environmental Parasitology Laboratory, Avenue Colombo, 5790 CEP 87020-9000 Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
Bruna Tiaki
BT
Tiyo
State University of Maringá, Environmental Parasitology Laboratory, Avenue Colombo, 5790 CEP 87020-9000 Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
Cristiane Maria
CM
Colli
State University of Maringá, Environmental Parasitology Laboratory, Avenue Colombo, 5790 CEP 87020-9000 Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
Ariella Andrade
AA
Marchioro
State University of Maringá, Environmental Parasitology Laboratory, Avenue Colombo, 5790 CEP 87020-9000 Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
Monica Lucia
ML
Gomes
State University of Maringá, Environmental Parasitology Laboratory, Avenue Colombo, 5790 CEP 87020-9000 Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
Ana Lucia
AL
Falavigna-Guilherme
D001938:Brazil; D005243:Feces; D016266:Food Parasitology; D005838:Genotype; D005872:Giardia / Q000235:genetics; D016829:Giardia lamblia; D005873:Giardiasis; D014675:Vegetables