Giardia intestinalis
Giardia intestinalis is a flagellated protozoan that was first observed in 1681 by Leeuwenhoek.
Giardia infects the small intestine of humans, especially children and causes a disorder called giardiasis. After cysts ingested from faecal material pass through the stomach and small intestine motile trophozoites are released in the colon. The parasite has an adhesive disk by which it attaches to the bowel wall. It feeds mainly on mucous, forming cysts that are deposited in the mucous and passed in the stools.
Symptoms of giardiasis include:
-inflammation of the bowel
-diarrhoea (copious and frothy)
-dehydration
-weight loss
-heartburn
-nausea
Nutritional deficiencies are common in infected children because the parasites can occupy much of the intestinal absorptive area. Fat absorption is greatly reduced and deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins are common.
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Diarrhoea is copious and frothy from bacterial action on unabsorbed foods, but it is not bloody because the parasite usually do not invade cells. Some infected persons experience severe joint inflammation and itchy rash even before they have diarrhoea.
Transmission is through food, water, and hands contaminated with faecal matter. It is occasionally transmitted through wild animals.
Giardia cysts are not killed by ordinary sewage treatment and chlorination.
Diagnosis is made by microscopic examination and finding cysts in stools.
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