An Imported Case of Mixed Infection by Giardia and Cryptosporidium Parasites in Japan

Abstract

Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium parvum are well-known intestinal parasites, which cause enteric disease in humans. In Japan, there have been many cases of both parasites being found in travelers returning from endemic areas. Recent molecular studies show that both parasites are composed of multiple genotypes making molecular characterization of their isolates important for understanding the epidemiology of Giardia and Cryptosporidium infections. Here we report an imported case of mixed infection by both parasites where the Giardia isolate was genotyped as Assemblage B of G. intestinalis, which has zoonotic potential, and the Cryptosporidium isolate as C. parvum human genotype, which has been found in only humans.