First identification and multilocus genotyping of Giardia duodenalis in pet chipmunks (Eutamias asiaticus) in Sichuan Province, southwestern China

Background: Giardia duodenalis is a flagellated parasite that causes diarrhea in humans and other animals. Although G. duodenalis is found in companion animals worldwide, information regarding the prevalence and genetic characteristics of G. duodenalis in pet chipmunks in China is limited. The present study therefore aimed to investigate the prevalence and genotypes of G. duodenalis in pet chipmunks in Sichuan province, southwestern China, as well as to assess zoonotic potential of revealed assemblages. Results: A total of 279 fecal samples were collected from pet chipmunks in seven pet shops and one breeding facility in Sichuan province, southwestern China. The prevalence of G. duodenalis was 8.6% (24/279), as determined by nested PCR detection of the beta giardin (bg) gene. Giardia duodenalis assemblages and subtypes were determined using multilocus genotyping of the bg, triosephosphate isomerase (tpi), and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) loci. Two assemblages were identified: potentially zoonotic assemblage A (54.2%, 13/24) and rodent-specific assemblage G (45.8%, 11/24). A total of 24, 17 and 17 sequences of the bg, gdh and tpi loci, respectively, were successfully obtained, which formed four, four and three subtypes, respectively. Moreover, four assemblage A (MLGs A1-A4) and three assemblage G (MLGs G1-G3) multilocus genotypes were identified. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study that investigated G. duodenalis in pet chipmunks in China. Detection of assemblage A in pet chipmunks and in previous studies in humans suggests a possible role of chipmunks as a reservoir for human giardiasis in Sichuan Province, China.