Molecular characterization of Giardia duodenalis subtypes in humans and animals using the beta-giardin locus variability

Conclusion, There are still many open questions concerning Giardia in particular the relationshipbetween the genetic variability of the parasite and the pathogenicity, symptoms and drugresistance. The epidemiology is complex, and the role of animals in the transmission tohumans remains to be eluciated These aspect can only be addressed by designedstudies and appropriate sampling. This is the main purpose of the Zoonotic ProtozoaNetwork (ZOOP-NET) in the frame of Med-Vet-Net. This scientific network has recentlydeveloped an online database, https://hypocrates.rivm.nl/bnwww/MedVetNet/ , whose aimis to achieve a more accurate picture of the epidemiology of giardiasis by combiningepidemiological and molecular data from different European countries (863 sequenceshave been submitted and stored to date).