Armaghane Danesh Bimonthly Journal (Aug 2022)
Risk Factors and Clinical Signs Associated with Giardia Infection and its Genotypes Among People Referred to Health Reference Laboratory in Zahedan
Abstract
Background & aim: Giardia lamblia is one of the most common and important intestinal parasites that cause diseases in a wide range of animals and humans. This parasite has eight assemblages and different genotypes, of which the most common human genotypes are AII and BIII. The risk factors of giardiasis and their relationship with the genotypes of this parasite are not well defined. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of determining and investigating the relationship between risk factors, clinical symptoms and Giardia infection and its genotypes in people referred to Zahedan Health Reference Laboratory. Methods: In this retrospective study was conducted in 2019-2020, the information questionnaire of 245 people referred to Zahedan Health Reference Center was used. These people were studied to investigate Giardia infection and determine its genotypes. In the survey of the questionnaires, 80 of the 245 samples were infected with Giardia cysts and were genotyped by the molecular restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. In the present study, the relationship between risk factors and clinical symptoms of Giardia infection and its genotypes in referring people were analyzed with chi-square tests, univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results: A significant relationship was observed between Giardia genotypes and risk factors such as age under ten years, living in suburban areas, lack of hygienic standards, and clinical symptoms. The multivariable logistic regression model showed two risk factors age group under ten years (OR: 9.65%, 95% CI: 4.41-16.03) and living in suburban areas (OR: 8.28, 95% CI: 3.84-17.85) had a high risk of contracting giardiasis. Conclusions: The age group of less than ten years and living in the suburban areas of Zahedan are the most important risk factors for contracting giardiasis. Moreover, a strong relationship between risk factors such as age under ten years old, living in the suburbs of Zahedan and clinical symptoms and AII genotype was observed, which makes effective measures to control and prevent this disease among children and residents of the outskirts of the city essential.
