Application of Genotyping during an Extensive Outbreak of Waterborne Giardiasis in Bergen, Norway, during Autumn and Winter 2004

• DOI: 10.1128/aem.72.3.2212-2217.2006
• Publication Date: 2006-03-03T17:47:56Z
• Authors: L. J. Robertson; L. Hermansen; B. K. Gjerde; E. Strand; J. O. Alvsvåg; N. Langeland
• Keywords: Giardia; Molecular Epidemiology

ABSTRACT During the autumn and winter of 2004 2005, an extensive outbreak waterborne giardiasis occurred in Bergen, Norway. Over 1,500 patients were diagnosed with giardiasis. Analysis water from implicated source revealed low numbers Giardia cysts, but initial contamination event probably up to 10 weeks previously. While sewage leakage a residential area is now considered be probable contamination, during episode waste one particular septic tank was thought possible source. Genotyping cysts demonstrated that they assemblage A although sequences not identical any previously published sequences. For β-giardin gene, closest subgenotype A3; for gdh A2. 21 patient samples B cysts; thus, unlikely Sequencing genes comparison gave complex results. three isolates had B3 However, other between four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). none sequence B3, SNPs. One isolate, which at more similar B2 gene. Grouping on basis SNPs resulted different groups two genes. The results are discussed relation Norway genotyping studies.