Cyst morphology and sequence analysis of the small subunit rDNA and ef1 alpha identifies a novel Giardia genotype in a quenda (Isoodon obesulus) from Western Australia

Infect Genet Evol. 2004 Dec;4(4):365-70. doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2004.05.003.

Abstract

Sequence analysis of the small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU-rDNA) and elongation factor 1 alpha (ef1 alpha) was performed on Giardia cysts isolated from faeces collected from a quenda (Isoodon obesulus) in the southwest of Western Australia. The SSU-rDNA and ef1 alpha were sequenced in their entirety and correspondingly aligned with the published sequence information of other known species and genotypes of Giardia. Phylogenetic analysis of the SSU-rDNA and ef1 alpha sequences identified the quenda isolate as a novel genotype of Giardia not previously reported. We believe that this quenda Giardia isolate constitutes a distinct species, which may be endemic within the Australian native fauna.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
  • DNA, Protozoan / isolation & purification
  • DNA, Ribosomal / chemistry
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics*
  • DNA, Ribosomal / isolation & purification
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Genotype
  • Giardia / genetics*
  • Giardia / isolation & purification
  • Giardia / physiology
  • Giardiasis / epidemiology
  • Giardiasis / parasitology*
  • Giardiasis / veterinary
  • Host-Parasite Interactions
  • Marsupialia / parasitology*
  • Peptide Elongation Factor 1 / genetics*
  • Phylogeny
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / veterinary
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
  • Western Australia / epidemiology

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan
  • DNA, Ribosomal
  • Peptide Elongation Factor 1