Giardia duodenalis is a widespread parasite of mammalian species, including humans. Due
to its invariant morphology, investigation on aspects such as host specificity and
transmission patterns requires a direct genetic characterization of cysts/trophozoites from
host samples. A number of molecular assays have been developed to help unravel the
complex epidemiology of this infection. A coherent picture has emerged from those studies,
indicating the existence of seven genetic groups (or assemblages), two of which (A and B) …