Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Giardiasis: An overview for the clinician

  • Progress Report
  • Published:
The American Journal of Digestive Diseases Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Since the clinician confronting a case of giardiasis may find the current literature confusing and weighted towards rare immunoglobulin deficiency syndromes, a classification is proposed to answer questions pertinent to understanding and managing this infection. Current thinking of giardiasis must involve the realization that (1) asymptomatic carriers exist; (2) that the majority of symptomatic patients have no structural disease explaining their symptoms; and (3) that those patients with anatomic lesions and giardiasis probably have an underlying predisposing condition. A short review of the association of giardiasis and immunodeficiency will then be presented, along with current concepts of diagnosis and therapy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Petersen M: Scand J Gastroenterol 7 (Suppl):14, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  2. Menat HA, McKinney WL: Giardiasis: Question of pathogenicity. US Nav Med Bull 46: 1204–1205, 1946

    Google Scholar 

  3. Reichenow E: Die pathogenetische Bedeutung der Darmprotozoen des Menschen. Zbl Bakt 122:195–212, 1931

    Google Scholar 

  4. Levine N (ed): Protozoan Parasites of Domestic Animals and of Man. Minneapolis, Burgess Press, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  5. Moor GT, Gross WM, McGuire D, Mollohon CS, Gleason NN, Healy GS, Newton LH: Epidemic giardiasis at a ski resort. N Engl J Med 281:402–407, 1969

    Google Scholar 

  6. Chang SL, Kabler PW: Detection of cysts ofEndameba histolytica in tap water by the use of membrane filter. Am J Hyg 64: 170–180, 1956

    Google Scholar 

  7. Brady FJ, Jones MF, Newton WL: Effect of chlorination of water on viability of cysts ofEndameba histolytica. War Med 3: 407–419, 1943

    Google Scholar 

  8. Editorial. Br Med J 18 May, Vol 2, pp 347–348, 1974

  9. Veazie L: Epidemic giardiasis. N Engl J Med 281: 853, 1969

    Google Scholar 

  10. Brodsky RE, Harrison LS, Schultz MG: Giardiasis in American travelers to the Soviet Union. J Infect Dis 130:319–323, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  11. Payne FJ, Atchley FO, Wasley MA: Association ofGiardia lamblia with disease. J Parasitol. 46: 742, 1960

    Google Scholar 

  12. Uthman SM, Norton RA: The prevalence and morbidity of giardiasis. Lahey Clin Found Bull 18:51–53, 1969

    Google Scholar 

  13. Babb RR, Peck OC, Nescia FG: Giardiasis. A cause of traveler's diarrhea. JAMA 217: 1359–1361, 1971

    Google Scholar 

  14. Jokipii L: Occurrence ofGiardia lamblia in adult patients with abdominal symptoms and in symptomless young adults. Ann Clin Res 3: 286–289, 1971

    Google Scholar 

  15. Belding DL: Textbook of Clinical Parasitology, 3rd edition. New York, Appleton Century Crofts, 1965

    Google Scholar 

  16. Webster BH: Human infection withGiardia lamblia. Am J Dig Dis 3:64–71, 1958

    Google Scholar 

  17. Brandborg LL, Tankersley CB, Gottleib S, Barancik M, Sarta V-E: Histological demonstration of mucosal invasion byGiardia lamblia in man. Gastroenterology 52:143–150, 1967

    Google Scholar 

  18. Da Silva JR, Coutinho SG, Dias LB, deFigueiredo N: Histopathologic findings in giardiasis: A biopsy study. Am J Dig Dis 9:355–365, 1964

    Google Scholar 

  19. Morecki R, Parker JG: Ultrastructural studies of the humanGiardia lamblia and subjacent mucosa in a subject with steatorrhea. Gastroenterology 52: 151–164, 1967

    Google Scholar 

  20. Alp MH, Hislop IG: The effect ofGiardia lamblia infestation on the gastro-intestinal tract. Aust Ann Med 18:232–237, 1969

    Google Scholar 

  21. Hoskins LC, Winawer SJ, Broitman SA, Gottleib LS, Zamcheck N: Clinical giardiasis and intestinal malabsorption. Gastroenterology 53:265–279, 1967

    Google Scholar 

  22. Carswell F, Gibson AAM, McAllister TA: Giardiasis and coeliac disease. Arch Dis Child 48:414–418, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  23. Yardley JH, Takano J, Hendrix TR: Epithelial and other mucosal lesions of the jejunum in giardiasis. Jejunal biopsy studies. Bull Johns Hopkins Hosp 115:389–406, 1964

    Google Scholar 

  24. Ament ME, Rubin CE: Relation of giardiasis to abnormal intestinal structure and function in gastrointestinal immunodeficiency syndromes. Gastroenterology 62:216–226, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  25. Hermans PE, Huizenga KA, Hoffman HN, Brown AL, Markowitz M: Dysgammaglobulinemia associated with nodular lymphoid hyperplasia of the small intestine. Am J Med 40:78–89, 1966

    Google Scholar 

  26. Twomey JJ, Jordan PH, Jarrold T, Trubowitz S, Ritz ND, Conn HO: The syndrome of immunoglobulin deficiency and pernicious anemia. Am J Med 47:340–350, 1969

    Google Scholar 

  27. Ament ME, Ochs HD, Davis SD: Structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract in primary immunodeficiency syndromes. A study of 39 patients. Medicine 5213:227–248, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  28. Zinneman HH, Kaplan AP: The association of giardiasis with reduced intestinal secretion of immunoglobulin A. Am J Dig Dis 17:793–797, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  29. Jones EG, Brown WR: Serum and intestinal fluid immunoglobulin in patients with giardiasis. Am J Dig Dis 19:785–790, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  30. Hunter GW, Fry WW, Swatzwelder JC: A Manual of Tropical Medicine, 4th edition. Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 1966

    Google Scholar 

  31. Bassily S, Farid Z, Mikhail JW, Kent DC, Lehman JS: The treatment ofGiardia lamblia infection with mepacrine, metronidazole, and furazclidone. J Trop Med Hyg 73:15–18, 1970

    Google Scholar 

  32. Chakravarti A, Sannyal S: Metronidazole (Flagyl) in giardiasis. Indian Med J 59:137–138, 1965

    Google Scholar 

  33. Martin C: Flagyl (8823 RP) in the treatment of giardiasis in the child. Trop Dis Bull 60:638, 1963

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Building 5, Room 114, Bethesda, Maryland, 20014

    Richard Eric Raizman MD

Authors
  1. Richard Eric Raizman MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Raizman, R.E. Giardiasis: An overview for the clinician. Digest Dis Sci 21, 1070–1074 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01071864

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01071864

Keywords

Search

Navigation