Infection rate and genetic diversity of assemblage C in Iranian stray dogs, targeting the gene.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

is one of the most common enteric protozoan parasites in vertebrates, such as humans, domestic and wild animals, causing giardiasis. To the best of our knowledge, little is known about the genetic diversity of assemblages. This study aimed to identify genetic diversity of assemblages in Iranian stray dogs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 450 fecal samples were collected from 2015 to 2016 from stray dogs of Northwest Iran. All specimens were observed microscopically following concentration and flotation techniques. Subsequently, DNA samples were extracted, amplified, and sequenced targeting the gene.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of in infected dogs was estimated at 1.6%, based on microscopic and molecular diagnoses. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses indicated a high level of genetic diversity of assemblage C (haplotype diversity; 0.802).

CONCLUSION

The pairwise sequence distances between the identified isolates of assemblage C showed an intradiversity of 0.3%-1.3% and identity of 98.7%-100%. Current findings indicate that a significant genetic diversity of assemblage C haplotypes is unequivocally circulates among stray dogs in Northwest Iran.