<i>Giardia lamblia </i>as an Intestinal Pathogen

Abstract

Giardia lamblia are protozoan parasites which cause human intestinal disease. The life cycle has a multiplying intraduodenal trophozoite and an excreted cyst. Infection occurs after cyst ingestion from faecally contaminated water or by direct faecal-oral transmission in situations of poor sanitary standards, but the zoonotic nature of giardiasis is debated. The pathophysiology may arise from enzyme or active transport deficiencies, synergy with intestinal bacteria or an immunopathological process. Diagnosis is made by microscopic identification of cysts or trophozoites in small bowel samples or faeces. Symptoms are acute with diarrhoea (without blood), abdominal cramps, bloating and flatulence. The treatment of choice is either metronidazole or tinidazole. No vaccine or drug prophylaxis exists, and measures to avoid cyst ingestion should be undertaken.

Waterborne protozoan pathogens.

“…The trophozoites attach to the duodenal or proximal jejunal mucosa, probably via contraction of the ventral disk, and replicate by repeated binary division. Cyst formation takes place as the trophozoites move through the colon (68,107).…”

Waterborne protozoan pathogens

“…The trophozoites attach to the duodenal or proximal jejunal mucosa, probably via contraction of the ventral disk, and replicate by repeated binary division. Cyst formation takes place as the trophozoites move through the colon (68,107).…”

Genotype of Giardia intestinalis isolates from children and dogs and its relationship to host origin

“…The major clinical impact of this parasite is on infants and children during their first years of life (Farthing 1996;Lewis and Freedman 1996). Infections result from ingestion of cysts, usually found in water or foods, on hands or on fomites contaminated with feces.…”