Infectious Disease Giardiasis

GIARDIASIS

Giardiasis is an upper small intestine protozoal infection caused by Giardia lamblia . The causative agent is a flagellate and is also called Giardia duodenalis and Giardia intestinalis . This parasite is found worldwide and is very abundant in areas with poor sanitation . Children at a young age are the most susceptible of this infection and there is a high incidence of Giardiasis in children in developing countries (Papadakis Sharpe , 2008 . Due to the fact that Giardia cysts are not killed by chlorine , it has been found out that these parasites are now

endemic in public water supplies , which does not undergo filtration through sand and also in streams where its waters are being contaminated by campers (McAdam , 2007 . Thus , it is not surprising that Giardiasis belongs to the most common parasitic diseases in both developing and even developed countries around the world . This causes both endemic and epidemic diarrhea and intestinal disease (Sauci Braunwald , 2008 . In the United States , estimates of 100 ,000 to 2 .5 million people get admitted every year due to Giardiasis . Some groups with high risk for Giardiasis include travelers to areas where these parasites are endemic Also , people who drink contaminated water during recreation in the wilderness travel or even men who have sex with other men and people with impaired immunity are also at high risk for this parasitic infestation

Figure 1 . Giardia lamblia in trophozoite form (Sauci Braunwald 2008

Giardia lamblia is a multicultural protozoa parasite and it has been proven to inhabit...