Giardia
Giardia
Epidemiology/transmission
Epidemiology/transmission
Compared with many protists, Giardia lamblia has a simple life cycle alternating between cyst and trophozoite
Ingestion of cysts from contaminated water or person-person faecal oral
Tissue damage caused by trophozoites
Clinical features
Clinical features
Asymptomatic
Acute: diarrhoea, malodorous, greasy, bloating, flatulence, mausea, weight loss
Chronic symptoms
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Visualise cyst or trophozoite in stool or biopsy
Antigen detection
Management
Management
Metronidazole
Tinidazole
Nitazoxinide