Giardiasis
[Giardia duodenalis (syn. G. lamblia, G. intestinalis)]
Causal Agents
Giardia duodenalis is a protozoan flagellate (Diplomonadida).
Life Cycle:
Cysts are resistant forms and are responsible for transmission of giardiasis. Both cysts and trophozoites can be found in the feces (diagnostic stages) . The cysts are hardy and can survive several months in cold water. Infection occurs by the ingestion of cysts in contaminated water, food, or by the fecal-oral route (hands or fomites) . In the small intestine, excystation releases trophozoites (each cyst produces two trophozoites) . Trophozoites multiply by longitudinal binary fission, remaining in the lumen of the proximal small bowel where they can be free or attached to the mucosa by a ventral sucking disk . Encystation occurs as the parasites transit toward the colon. The cyst is the stage found most commonly in nondiarrheal feces . Because the cysts are infectious when passed in the stool or shortly afterward, person-to-person transmission is possible. While animals are infected with Giardia, their importance as a reservoir is unclear.
Geographic Distribution:
Worldwide, more prevalent in warm climates, and in children.
Clinical Presentation
The spectrum varies from asymptomatic carriage to severe diarrhea and malabsorption. Acute giardiasis develops after an incubation period of 1 to 14 days (average of 7 days) and usually lasts 1 to 3 weeks. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. In chronic giardiasis the symptoms are recurrent and malabsorption and debilitation may occur.
Giardia duodenalis cysts in wet mounts stained with iodine.
Giardia duodenalis cysts in wet mounts under differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy.
G. duodenalis cysts in trichrome stain.
G. duodenalis trophozoites in wet mounts.
G. duodenalis trophozoites stained with trichrome.
G. duodenalis trophozoites in unique stains.
Cysts of Giardia duodenalis and oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum.
Laboratory Diagnosis
Cysts of G. duodenalis (lower right) and Cryptosporidium (upper left) labeled with commercially available immunofluorescent antibodies.
Giardiasis is diagnosed by the identification of cysts or trophozoites in the feces, using direct mounts as well as concentration procedures. Cysts are typically seen in wet mount preparations, while trophozoites are seen in permanent mounts (i.e. trichrome). Repeated samplings may be necessary. In addition, samples of duodenal fluid (e.g., Enterotest) or duodenal biopsy may demonstrate trophozoites. Alternate methods for detection include antigen detection tests by enzyme immunoassays, and detection of parasites by immunofluorescence. Both methods are available in commercial kits.
Direct Immunofluorescence Assay (DFA)
A direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA) is available for diagnosing Giardia duodenalis infections. Antibodies tagged with fluorescent markers are added to stool and incubated. Visualization under a fluorescent microscope shows the Giardia cysts as green, glowing ovoid objects. This test includes antibodies for Cryptosporidium and both diseases can be tested for simultaneously.
Treatment Information
Treatment information for giardiasis can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/giardia/about/index.html
DPDx is an educational resource designed for health professionals and laboratory scientists. For an overview including prevention, control, and treatment visit www.cdc.gov/parasites/.