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General Medicine

Giardiasis

Carol Hungerford, DO and Pamela Hughes, MD Reviewed 06/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia:

    • G. lamblia is also called Giardia duodenalis and Giardia intestinalis.

  • Infection results from ingestion of cyst...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • 25–50% of infected persons are symptomatic.

  • Symptoms usually appear 1 to 2 weeks after exposure.

  • Diarrhea >3 weeks (95%)

  • Abdominal cramps (70%)

  • Nausea (60%)

  • Bloating (50%)

  • Flatulence (50...

TREATMENT

Outpatient for mild cases; inpatient if symptoms are severe enough to cause dehydration warranting parenteral fluid replacement 

GENERAL MEASURES

  • No treatment required in asymptomatic patients

  • ...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

Symptoms, weight, and stool exams if patients fail to improve 

DIET

Low lactose/lactose free for at least 1 month, low fat 

PATIENT EDUCATION

  • Hand w...

REFERENCES

1
Jahan N, Khatoon R, Ahmad S. A comparison of microscopy and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for diagnosis of Giardia lamblia in human faecal specimens. J Clin Diagn Res.  2014;8(11)...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Cañete R, Rodríguez P, Mesa L, et al. Albendazole versus metronidazole in the treatment of adult giardiasis: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial. Curr Med Res Opin.  201...

SEE ALSO

Algorithm: Diarrhea, Chronic 

CODES

ICD10

A07.1 Giardiasis [lambliasis] 

ICD9

007.1 Giardiasis 

SNOMED

  • 58265007 Giardiasis (disorder)

  • 10679007 Infection by Giardia lamblia

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Daycare facilities and public swimming pools are common sources of Giardia transmission (don’t assume camping or travel is required).

  • Commonly presents with abdominal bloating and loose...

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Related Images
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FIGURE 53-3 Scanning electron micrograph of Giardia lamblia. A. G. lamblia adhering to the gastrointestinal epithelium using its ventral sucking disk. Patients with giardiasis may have a significant reduction in the amount of absorptive surface available because of the large number of adhering parasites. B. On detaching from the intestinal epithelium, the organisms often leave a clear impression...
FIGURE 53-3 Scanning electron micrograph of Giardia lamblia. A. G. lamblia adhering to the gastrointestinal epithelium using its ventral s...
Fig GI 26-2 Giardiasis. Irregular fold thickening is most prominent in the proximal small bowel.
Fig GI 26-2 Giardiasis. Irregular fold thickening is most prominent in the proximal small bowel.
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