H. Jafari - Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
M.H. Razi Jalali - Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
M. Seyfi Abad Shapouri - Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
M.R. Haji Hajikolaii - Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

Giardia duodenalis is globally recognized as an important zoonotic intestinal protozoan parasite. So far, eight assemblages of G. duodenalis (A-H) have been identified. Substantial evidence suggests the zoonotic potential of assemblages A, B, and E in livestock. In this study, the genotype of Giardia duodenalis isolates was genetically identified by determining the sequence of ssu-rRNA gene and performing polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) on glutamate dehydrogenase gene of the parasite in Arabian horses from Ahvaz, located in southwest of Iran. The results revealed that assemblages AI and E (livestock-associated G. duodenalis) were present in horse isolates. Also, based on the findings, prevalence of G. duodenalis infection among horses was estimated at ۳۵.۷%. The results indicated that G. duodenalis is highly prevalent among Arabian horses, posing a zoonotic risk for giardiasis in Ahvaz, Iran.

Giardia duodenalis, genotyping, ssu-rRNA, gdh, Arabian horse, Iran