The veterinary public health significance of Giardia and Cryptosporidium: Getting things in perspective

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Finnish Dairy Farmers on Cryptosporidiosis

Calf-mediated zoonotic cryptosporidiosis is an emerging occupational health risk among Finnish dairy farmers. We studied farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding cryptosporidiosis to reveal possible weaknesses, which might increase the risk of zoonotic infection. KAP study was carried out as a cross-sectional questionnaire survey (n = 243). A total of 400 cryptosporidiosis-negative and 138 cryptosporidiosis-positive dairy farms, with more than 50 cows, were invited to participate in the study. The response rate was 45%. Half (49%) of the respondents had adequate knowledge concerning zoonotic cryptosporidiosis. Knowledge score was associated with age (p < 0.01), level of education (p < 0.01), and cryptosporidiosis status of the farm (p < 0.01). Though most respondents had favorable attitudes, one-third (32.5%) had poor zoonotic transmission prevention practices. Use of a personal mobile device was the most common risky practice (90%) performed daily in the cowhouse. Most respondents (93%) reported gaining information about infectious diseases in animals from more than two information sources. Veterinarians were the most mentioned source (n = 228), whereas primary care physicians were among the least common sources (n = 16). Having favorable attitudes towards the prevention of zoonotic cryptosporidiosis was common. However, shortages in knowledge and several risky practices were identified in both cryptosporidiosis positive and negative farms. The role of the occupational health sector should be strengthened in work-related zoonotic disease prevention and may require further education of the personnel. A one-health approach to control zoonotic diseases is recommended.

Zoonotic potential of Giardia

Giardia duodenalis (syn. Giardia lamblia and Giardia intestinalis) is a common intestinal parasite of humans and mammals worldwide. Assessing the zoonotic transmission of the infection requires molecular characterization as there is considerable genetic variation within G. duodenalis. To date eight major genetic groups (assemblages) have been identified, two of which (A and B) are found in both humans and animals, whereas the remaining six (C to H) are host-specific and do not infect humans. Sequence-based surveys of single loci have identified a number of genetic variants (genotypes) within assemblages A and B in animal species, some of which may have zoonotic potential. Multi-locus typing data, however, has shown that in most cases, animals do not share identical multi-locus types with humans. Furthermore, interpretation of genotyping data is complicated by the presence of multiple alleles that generate "double peaks" in sequencing files from PCR products, and by the potential exchange of genetic material among isolates, which may account for the non-concordance in the assignment of isolates to specific assemblages. Therefore, a better understanding of the genetics of this parasite is required to allow the design of more sensitive and variable subtyping tools, that in turn may help unravel the complex epidemiology of this infection.