Risk Factors and Circulating Subtypes of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. and <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> in Hospitalized Children in Mozambique
<i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. and <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> are important diarrheal agents in children in developing countries. Little is known about their molecular epidemiology; as such, the objective of this study was to determine the risk factors and genetic diversity of bo...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/196 |
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| Summary: | <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. and <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> are important diarrheal agents in children in developing countries. Little is known about their molecular epidemiology; as such, the objective of this study was to determine the risk factors and genetic diversity of both parasites in diarrheal samples in Mozambique. In this study, two nested PCRs targeting <i>ssurRNA</i> and <i>gp60</i> genes were used for genetic diversity of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. and <i>b-giardin</i> for <i>G. duodenalis</i>. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were obtained through questionnaires. The location (odds ratio [OR] 3.499), mother’s education level (OR 2.150) and age were significant factors for acquiring infection by <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. (<i>p</i> < 0.05). <i>Cryptosporidium hominis</i> was the predominant (77.8%) species. Four families (three <i>C. hominis</i> and one <i>C. parvum</i>) were identified, with the highest for Ib (73.9%), followed by Id (13%), Ia (8.7%) and IIc (4.3%). The location (<i>p</i>-value < 0.001), drinking untreated water (<i>p</i>-value = 0.04) and living in masonry houses (<i>p</i>-value = 0.002) were identified as risks associated with <i>G. duodenalis</i> infection. Assemblage A was the dominant type (65.2%). Among the subassemblages of assemblage A, AII was the most frequent (86.6%), followed by AIII (6.6%). For assemblage B, subassemblages BIII (87.5%) and BIV (12.5%) were identified. The dominance of the subtype IbA9G3 of <i>C. hominis</i>, as well as the AII subassemblage of <i>G. duodenalis</i>, seems to indicate that the transmission of both protozoa occurs mainly through the anthroponotic route. |
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| ISSN: | 2076-2607 |