title: Giardia lamblia infections in children in Ghana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Though giardiasis is an important public health problem in Ghana, several aspects of its epidemiology, particularly the molecular epidemiology has not been investigated adequately. This could be a major hindrance to effective surveillance and control of giardiasis in the country. The study was carried out to determine the prevalence, risk factors and genotypes ofGiardia lambliainfecting children at a paediatric hospital in Ghana.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 485 patients including 365 diarrhoea and 120 non-diarrhoea children were enrolled into the study. Stool samples were collected and analysed for parasite presence using microscopy, ELISA and PCR. Positive samples were subsequently characterized into assemblages by PCR-RFLP, and further confirmed with sequencing of theglutamate dehydrogenase(gdh) gene. Epidemiological data on demographic, clinical and behavioral features of the study subjects were also collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence ofG. lambliainfections in diarrhoea and non-diarrhoea children were 5.8% and 5% respectively (P>0.5). Sequence data confirmedGiardia lambliaassemblage B as the predominant genotype in both diarrhoea and non-diarrhoea cases. There was no significant association of G.lambliainfection with any of the epidemiological variables investigated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that assemblage B could be the predominant genotype causing giardiasis in children. Increased public health education focusing on good sanitary practices, particularly among mothers and children, could decrease the risk of G.lambliainfection.
authors: Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu Campus, Accra, Ghana.
authors: Isaac
authors: I
authors: Anim-Baidoo
authors: Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
authors: Charles Akugbey
authors: CA
authors: Narh
authors: Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
authors: Dora
authors: D
authors: Oddei
authors: Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu Campus, Accra, Ghana.
authors: Charles Addoquaye
authors: CA
authors: Brown
authors: Department of Child Health, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu Campus, Accra, Ghana.
authors: Christabel
authors: C
authors: Enweronu-Laryea
authors: Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
authors: Betty
authors: B
authors: Bandoh
authors: Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu Campus, Accra, Ghana.
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Sampane-Donkor
authors: Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Armah
authors: Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu Campus, Accra, Ghana.
authors: Andrew Anthony
authors: AA
authors: Adjei
authors: Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu Campus, Accra, Ghana.
authors: David Nana
authors: DN
authors: Adjei
authors: Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu Campus, Accra, Ghana.
authors: Patrick Ferdinand
authors: PF
authors: Ayeh-Kumi
authors: Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
authors: Ben Adu
authors: BA
authors: Gyan
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Ghana; Giardia lamblia; assemblage B; diarrhoea