GIARDIA

Question 1

What kind of pathogen is Giardia?

Answer 1

Flagellated (has flagella tail) protozoan

Question 2

What is a strain of Giardia?

Answer 2

G. intestinalis

Question 3

How is Giardia transmitted?

Answer 3

-Cysts excreted in stool, can be found in raw (environmental) water sources, dogs, cats, beavers (Beaver fever!), and primates
*Most common intestinal parasite in the U.S.

Question 4

What is the pathogenesis of Giardia?

Answer 4

-Very pathogenic!
-10 giardia cysts can cause an infection
-Incubation period of 1-2 weeks

Question 5

Where is Giardia commonly found?

Answer 5

-Daycares
-Institutionalized patients in developing countries

Question 6

How would a Giardia infection be presented?

Answer 6

-No fever
-Diarrheal symptoms (can be asymptomatic, acute, chronic)
-GREASY, WATERY, LARGE VOLUME diarrhea
-Chronic diarrhea may cause malabsorption

Question 7

How is Giardia diagnosed?

Answer 7

-Antigen tests
-Parasites in stool (will see trophozites)
-PCR
-Culture

Question 8

How can Giardia be treated?

Answer 8

-Metronidazole
-Tinidazole
-Nitazoxanide
-Albendazole

FOR PREGNANT WOMEN: Paromomycin