Giardia duodenalis
Giardia duodenalis
Giardia duodenalis (pronounced: jee-AR-dee-uh doo-oh-duh-NAY-lis), also known as Giardia lamblia or Giardia intestinalis, is a parasite that infects the small intestine of humans and other mammals.
Etymology
The name Giardia is derived from the French biologist Alfred Mathieu Giard, who first described the organism in the late 19th century. The species name duodenalis refers to the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine where the parasite is most commonly found.
Description
Giardia duodenalis is a flagellate protozoan parasite. It exists in two forms: an active, motile trophozoite and an inactive, resistant cyst. The trophozoite is responsible for the symptoms of the infection, while the cyst is the form that is spread from host to host.
Infection and Symptoms
Infection with Giardia duodenalis, known as giardiasis, occurs through ingestion of cysts in contaminated water or food, or through direct person-to-person or animal-to-person contact. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, weight loss, and malabsorption of nutrients.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of giardiasis is typically made by identifying Giardia cysts or trophozoites in stool samples. Treatment usually involves antiprotozoal drugs such as metronidazole or tinidazole.
Prevention
Prevention of giardiasis involves good hygiene practices, including handwashing and avoiding consumption of untreated water.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Giardia duodenalis
- Wikipedia's article - Giardia duodenalis
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