Giardiasis

Giardiasis
Other namesBeaver fever, giardia
Giardia cell viewed with scanning electron microscope
SpecialtyInfectious disease, gastroenterology
SymptomsDiarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea[1]
Usual onset1 to 3 weeks after exposure[2]
CausesGiardia duodenalis spread mainly through contaminated food or water[1]
Risk factorsHypogammaglobulinemia
Diagnostic methodStool testing[1]
Differential diagnosisIrritable bowel syndrome[1]
PreventionImproved sanitation[1]
TreatmentAntiprotozoal medications
MedicationTinidazole, metronidazole[1]
FrequencyUp to 7% (developed world), up to 30% (developing world)[1]

Giardiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia and G. intestinalis).[3] Infected individuals who experience symptoms (about 10% have no symptoms) may have diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and weight loss.[1] Less common symptoms include vomiting and blood in the stool.[1] Symptoms usually begin one to three weeks after exposure and, without treatment, may last two to six weeks or longer.[4]

Giardiasis usually spreads when Giardia duodenalis cysts within faeces contaminate food or water that is later consumed orally.[1] The disease can also spread between people and through other animals.[1] Cysts may survive for nearly three months in cold water.[1] Giardiasis is diagnosed via stool tests.[1]

Prevention may be improved through proper hygiene practices.[1] Asymptomatic cases often do not need treatment.[1] When symptoms are present, treatment is typically provided with either tinidazole or metronidazole.[1] Infection may cause a person to become lactose intolerant, so it is recommended to temporarily avoid lactose following an infection.[1] Resistance to treatment may occur in some patients.[1]

Giardiasis occurs worldwide.[5] It is one of the most common parasitic human diseases.[3] Infection rates are as high as 7% in the developed world and 30% in the developing world.[1] In 2013, there were approximately 280 million people worldwide with symptomatic cases of giardiasis.[3] The World Health Organization classifies giardiasis as a neglected disease.[1] It is popularly known as beaver fever[6] in North America.

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Minetti C, Chalmers RM, Beeching NJ, Probert C, Lamden K (October 2016). "Giardiasis" (PDF). BMJ. 355: i5369. doi:10.1136/bmj.i5369. PMID 27789441. S2CID 220092781.
  2. ^ "Giardia. General information". CDC. 21 July 2015. Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  3. ^ a b c Esch KJ, Petersen CA (January 2013). "Transmission and epidemiology of zoonotic protozoal diseases of companion animals". Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 26 (1): 58–85. doi:10.1128/CMR.00067-12. PMC 3553666. PMID 23297259.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference CDCSymptoms was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference CDC_Giardiasis was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Giardiasis (beaver fever)". New York State Department of Health. January 2022. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.