Giardia lamblia

PRESENTED BY :
Sonica RANI
M.Sc. MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(4ᵗʰ SEMESTER)
GIARDIA
Giardia is a microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal illness known as
giardiasis. Giardia commonly nick named as Grand old man of the
intestine.
Giardia lamblia of small intestine (deudenum) of men possess a bilateral
symmetrical body.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
• Giardia intestinalis was first observed by Anton
van Leeuwenhoek (1681) - A Dutch tradesman
in his own stool and he described them as
animalcules.
• He is also called the "father of Microbiology”.
SYSTEMATIC POSITION
Phylum - Protozoa
Sub phylum - Plasmodroma
Class - Mastigophora
Order - Diplomonadida
Genus - Giardia
Species - Intestinilis or lamblia

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
World wide
HABITAT
Deudenum and the upper part of jejunum of man.

MORPHOLOGY
EXISTING TWO PHASES :-
• Trophozoite
• Cyst
LIFE CYCLE OF GIARDIA LAMBLIA
• 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 2 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.

• Both cysts and trophozoites can be found in the feces.

• The cyst is the stage found most commonly in non-diarrheal

feces (The cysts are hardy, can survive several months in cold
water).
• Trophozoitess are found in the diarrheal stools.
LIFE CYCLE OF GIARDIA LAMBLIA
TRANSMISSION
Giardia is transmitted via the fecal oral route with the
ingestion of cyst.
Primary roots are personal contact and contaminated water
and food.
The cyst can stay infectious for up to 3 months in cold water.
PATHOGENECITY
• With the help of sucking this parasite .The parasite attaches itself on
to the convex surface of the epithelial cell in the intestine and may
cause a disturbance of intestinal function leading to malabsorption of
fat.

• The patient may complain of looseness of bowel and mild

steatorrhea. The parasite is also capable of producing by its toxic
effect.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms include:
• Diarrhoea
• Loose or watery stool
• Foul-smelling stool
• Stomach cramps
• Upset stomach
• Weight loss
• Dehydration
Some may be asymptomatic.
LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS
• Stool examination:
- Macroscopic examination
- Microscopic examination

• Enterotest (string test)

• Serological test: ELISA

• Molecular diagnosis: DNA probe, PCR

TREATMENT
• The most common treatment for giardiasis is metronidazole
for 5-10 days. It eradicates the Giardia more than 85 % of the
time.
• Furoxone for 7-10 days.
• Quinacrine is very effective for treating giardiasis.
• Combination therapy also may be effective
(e.g., quinacrine and metronidazole).
PREVENTION
• Avoid water and food that might be contaminated.
• Boil water before drinking.
• Do not brush teeth with tap water that may be contaminated.
• Wash hands before eating food.
REFERENCES
• Chatterjee K.D; Parasitology (Protozology and Helmithology) 13rd
Edition.2012, CBC Publisher. pp - 37-40.

• Ghosh S, Chander J; Paniker’s Textbook of Medical Parsitology 8th

Edition 2018, The Health Science Publisher New Delhi. pp - 32-40.