Estimating and mapping the incidence of giardiasis in Colombia, 2009–2013

Abstract

As giardiasis is neglected in many countries, surveillance is not regularly undertaken. Despite its limitations, this study is the first attempt to provide estimates of national giardiasis incidence with consistent findings regarding affected age groups and geographical distribution.

Introductory Chapter: Giardiasis - Still a Globally Relevant Protozoan and Zoonotic Disease

“…Some epidemiological studies have shown that its prevalence varies between the population studied and the location, from 2 to 5% on industrialized countries to 20-30% in developing countries [1,5,11], and these changes in prevalence are associated, among others, with the hygiene infrastructure and the impact of the weather conditions, reason why environmental control eforts are necessary, which requires an integrated and systematic approach to decrease and mitigate the inluence on the disease epidemiology; for this reason, it is linked to educational programs and other interventional measures [2,6,12].…”

“…Consequently, ingestion of water or food that contains small levels of contamination can result in the disease, which is more recurrent in summer and fall. Other usual ways to transmit them could be among day care center atendees and people who live in residential institutions, and it could also spread by means of sexual activity, by oral-anal contact [1,5,11,12].…”

“…Most symptomatic infections resolve spontaneously; however, sometimes, hospitalization is required when infections have longterm consequences and do not respond to the normal treatment. Chronic Giardia infections are reported frequently in nonendemic areas and also could result in irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies, arthritis, aphthous ulcers, or chronic fatigue syndrome after resolution [3,[10][11][12].…”

“…It is illustrated in the protective efect of Giardia against other types of diarrhea what could be due to the anti-inlammatory activity of Giardia. Nevertheless, further investigations on the pathogenic mechanisms are needed that could lead to potential interventions preventing the severe illness [2,11].…”

Giardiasis Epidemiology

“…Furthermore, in the countries such as the Unites States, where Giardia is continually under surveillance, Giardia has higher incidences (incidence rate ratios, 1.2-1.5) in counties with higher private well reliance compared to counties with lower well reliance [38]. On the other side, in most developing countries, Giardia has been associated with poor health hygiene, poor toilet training, overcrowding, and low socioeconomic status [39]. Furthermore, due to the high prevalence of Giardia among children, and its higher exposure to dogs in poor seting, it is believed that Giardia has developed zoonotic transmission.…”