Distribution and molecular characterisation of Giardia intestinalis in the siirt province

Kaçak K, Distribution and molecular characterisation of Giardia intestinalis in the Siirt province, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Health Sciences Institute, Department of Parasitology (Medicine), Doctoral Thesis, Van, 2024. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of Giardia intestinalis in humans in Siirt province and to determine the common genotypes. The study was conducted between 15.08.2022-15.08.2023 at Siirt Training and Research Hospital and Research Laboratory of Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University. The study included 200 patients admitted to adult and pediatric outpatient clinics of Siirt Training and Research Hospital. Stool samples obtained from the patients were examined by nativ-Lugol and PCR methods in the Research Laboratory of the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University. Sequence analysis was performed on the amplicons of the samples found positive by nested-PCR method. G. intestinalis was detected in 12 (6%) of 200 stool samples examined by nativ-Lugol method and 18 (9%) by nested- PCR. Sequence analysis of the nested PCR amplicon of 18 G. intestinalis samples revealed that 11 (61.1%) isolates were genotype A and seven (38.9%) isolates were genotype B. A statistically significant relationship was found between vitamin D deficiency and G. intestinalis positivity. In conclusion, the genotypes of G. intestinalis causing giardiosis in humans in Siirt province were determined for the first time in this study and genotype A was found to be dominant. It was also concluded that patients with vitamin D deficiency should be evaluated for G. intestinalis.