Giardiasis as a chronic disease

Abstract

In an effort to better describe the incidence and characteristics of chronic giardiasis in an urban private practice outpatient setting, we reviewed our experience of 65 cases. In the entire group, the mean duration of symptoms was 1.9 years. A history of foreign travel was described by 45%. No association with homosexuality was noted. Chronic giardiasis, defined as that population symptomatic for six months or longer, constituted 58% of the entire group (38 cases). For these patients the mean duration of symptoms was 3.3 years. When compared to acute giardiasis, an increased frequency of constipation and upper gastrointestinal complaints was noted in the chronic population. Symptomatic cure was obtained in 71% of chronic cases and 93% of acute. Palliative results were noted in 18% of chronic cases and 4% of acute. We conclude that giardiasis is frequently a chronic disease in our population with symptoms lasting years. The incidence is similar in both sexes and a history of foreign travel is often absent. A disproportionate incidence in male homosexuals was not noted in our study.

Diagnostic value of endoscopy for the diagnosis of giardiasis and other intestinal diseases in patients with persistent diarrhea from tropical or subtropical areas

“…Similar incidences of chronic giardiasis in male and female patients have been reported before [10], while in one study it was found that males were significantly more frequently affected by giardiasis than women [11]. However, the latter retrospective study did not distinguish between acute and chronic cases.…”

Goblet cells: are they an unspecific barrier against Giardia intestinalis or a gate?

“…In giardiosis, clinical manifestations represent the expression of host resistance and parasite virulence (Chester et al 1985). While structural studies only show alterations in the intestinal architecture (Ceballos et al 1995), in this series, we found changes in the intestinal structure as well as an increase in the GC population.…”

Persisting symptoms and duodenal inflammation related to Giardia duodenalis infection

“…Symptoms have been reported to resolve in 60e70% of patients with chronic giardiasis when the parasites have been successfully eradicated. 29,30 Persistent abdominal symptoms in travellers, where Giardia may be an etiological agent, has been described, 31 but to our knowledge no long term follow-up or description of posttreatment symptomatic Giardia negative cases has been published.…”