Giardia intestinalis

Giardia intestinalis

Updated: 01/27/2024

© Jun Wang, MD, PhD

 

General features

  • Previously known as G lamblia or G duodenalis
  • Waterborne, foodborne, or fecal-oral transmission
  • May be asymptomatic, or presents with acute or chronic fatty, foul-smelling diarrhea

 


Life cycle

Key clinical features

  • Acute giardiasis: Usually watery diarrhea, nausea, etc
  • Chronic giardiasis: May follow acute infection, may have profound weight loss, GI manifestations include loose stools, malabsorption, weight loss, abdominal cramping, etc
  • Fatty, foul-smelling diarrhea due to malabsorption

Pathological and lab findings

Diagnosis

  • Antigen detection assays 
  • Polymerase chain reaction assays
  • Stool microscopy

Management

  • Antibiotics (metronidazole, tinidazole, nitazoxanide)
  • Symptomatic management

 

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