Related articles: Giardiasis
Definition
Giardiasis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Giardia lamblia (also known as G. intestinalis ). These flagellated microorganisms strongly attach themselves to the mucosa of the duodenum and the upper part of the small intestine, where they multiply by binary scission and give rise to an inflammatory process.
Giardia cysts are eliminated with the faeces and transmitted via the faecal-oral route. Therefore, the infection occurs through the ingestion of water and contaminated food, especially in hot climates and where hygienic conditions are precarious. Transmission can also occur through direct interpersonal contact and sexual contact, in the case of an oral-anal relationship.
Cysts resist in the environment, remain viable on the surface of the water and are resistant to the usual levels of chlorination.
The incubation period of giardiasis, in general, is 1-3 weeks.
Most common symptoms and signs *
- Alve alterations
- Anorexia
- Asthenia
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Yellow Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Dysentery
- Abdominal pain
- Pain in the upper part of the abdomen
- Belching
- Temperature
- Flatulence
- Abdominal swelling
- Starvation
- undernourishment
- hypovitaminosis
- Functional Meteorism
- Nausea
- Weight loss
- steatorrhea
- Constipation
- He retched
Further indications
Giardiasis may be asymptomatic or cause gastrointestinal symptoms: foul-smelling watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, flatulence, belching, intermittent nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain and loss of appetite. There is no mucus or blood in the stool. Sometimes fever, chills and headaches occur.
Some patients with giardiasis may develop a chronic malabsorption syndrome, which, if severe and persistent, can lead to nutritional disorders and significant weight loss. Occasionally, the disease leads to steatorrhea, debilitation and atrophy of the intestinal mucosa.
The diagnosis is based on the identification of the parasite in the faeces or on the immunoenzymatic determination of specific Ig. Treatment of symptomatic infections involves the prescription of metronidazole, tinidazole, nitazoxanide or, during pregnancy, paromomycin.
The prevention of giardiasis requires the respect of elementary hygiene rules, such as washing hands after going to the bathroom and before handling food. The water can be decontaminated by boiling.
