The zoonotic parasite, Giardia duodenalis (syns. G. lamblia and G. intestinalis), has been widely reported in humans and animals. Infection has been widely reported in domestic (e.g. goats, pigs, cats, rabbits, dogs and calves) and wild animals (e.g. chipmunks, chinchillas, red foxes, lizards, aquatic birds, boars and rhesus macaque) in Asia, Europe, Australia, North America and Africa.

Bamboo rat Public domain image/wikimedia commons
Bamboo rat
Public domain image/wikimedia commons

A new study from the journal, Parasites & Vectors, demonstrates for the first time infection in the bamboo rat (Rhizomys sinensis).

To reveal the infection status of G. duodenalis in farmed bamboo rats, the prevalence and assemblages of this parasite in bamboo rats from six farms in four cities of Hunan Province, China, were determined, and the genetic diversity of G. duodenalis was also investigated.

In the study, this parasite was detected in bamboo rats from Hunan Province of China, and 52 (10.8%) of 480 samples were positive for G. duodenalis infection based on the nested PCR amplification targeting the bg gene.

Researchers conclude Giardia duodenalis occurs in bamboo rats from Hunan Province of China and the infection was significantly associated with age and farms. Although only one assemblage (B) was identified in bamboo rats in the present study, zoonotic potential and genetic diversity were found. Based on their knowledge,  this is the first report on G. duodenalis infection in bamboo rats.