Spatial clustering of Giardia duodenalis assemblages and sub-assemblages with environmental and anthropozoonotic factors in Busia, Western Kenya

Abstract

Giardia duodenalis assemblage A and B including sub-assemblages AII, BIII, and BIV infections cluster differentially with residence at the nearest stream and/or river water source, market or road or within areas with larger cattle or poultry densities. In contrast, the absence of such environmental and domestic animal-related risk factors may represent areas that are relatively less affected by giardiasis. While we did not explicitly designate "low-risk" zones, the spatial clustering patterns suggest that environments with limited human-animal-environmental interface pressures are less conducive to giardiasis transmission.