Giardia lamblia Flashcards
GIve the kingdom, phyla, subphyla and the class for Protozoan Flagellates
- Kingdom Protozoa
- Phylum Sarcomastigophora
- Subphyla Mastigophora
- Class Zoomastigophora
Describe the morphological characteristics of Flagellates
- Protozoa that bear one to several long, delicate, thread-like extensions or whip-like structures of the cytoplasm (flagella)
- Presence of central supporting rod (axostyle) & an undulating membrane supported at the base by a basal fiber are observed in some species
Enumerate the habitat classifications for Flagellates
- Intestinal, oral, and genital flagellates
- Blood and Tissue flagellates (Hemoflagellates)
If the locomotory organ for Amoebas constitute to pseudopodia, what about the locomotory organ for Flagellates?
Flagella
Other charateristics for flagellates
- Undulating membrane (membrane laterally projecting from the body of certain flagellates, participates inactive motility of the flagella)
- Axostyle/axial rod (supports loco motion)
- Costa (rib-like structure with in the cytostome)
Who and when was G, lamblia first discovered?
First discovered by Antoine van Leeuwenhoek using his own stool in 1681
Who first describe G. lamblia in one of Antione Van Leeuwenhoek tools?
First described by Lambl in 1859 who coined it Cercomonal intestinalis
Asexual resproduction for G. lamblia
Binary fission
TRUE OR FALSE: G. lamblia is not the only known pathogenic intestinal flagellate
False, only G. lamblia is considered to be a pathogenic intestinal flagellate
C. intestinalis can be cultured in what method/s?
Diamond’s medium or Robertson’s medium
TRUE OR FALSE: G. duodenale passes its life cycle in one host
True, since it only has a direct life cycle
Give the old world common name for Giardia lamblia
- G. Lamblia (renamed by Stiles in 1915)
- G. intestinalis,
- Lamblia duodenalis,
- L. intestinalis,
- Cercomonas intestinalis*
New world common name for Giardia lamblia
Giardia duodenale
Enumerate the habitat of Giardia lamblia
- Duodenum (where it performs excystation for ~30mins.),
- jejunum,
- and upper ileum
Describe the morphological structures of G. lamblia
Pear-shaped or teardrop shaped
with “falling leaf” Motility (trophozoites)
Resembles and old man with whiskers,
a cartoon character and/or a monkey’s face
*Whiskers are associated to its flagella
TRUE OR FALSE: motility of G. lamblia is best observed in a fresh smear
TRUE, examination should be within 30mins after collection of the sample since Trophozoites deteriorate rapidly when left overtime
What are the two (2) morphologcal forms of G. duodenale
- Trophozoites (vegetative stage, reproductive stage)
- cysts (infective stage, non-motile)
GIve the MOT for G. lamblia
- Ingestion of contaminated food or water
- Anal-to-oral sexual practice (high among homosexuals)
Enumerate the pathogenesis for G. lamblia
- Giardiasis (Beaver-fever), Traveller’s Diarrhea, Gay-bowel syndrome
- Abdominal pain, cramping, epigastric pain, flatulence
- Stool is voluminous and foul smelling
- Acute infection (excessive flatus) has a “rotten egg”
- Steatorrhea (chronic) (passage of fats in stool)
Drug of choice for G. lamblia
Metronidazole 250mg 3x a day for 5-7 days
Enumerate the Laboratory Dx for G. lamblia
✓ Stool Exam
Identification of cysts & trophozoites
✓ Duodenal Aspirates
✓ Beale String Test/Entero-Test
✓ Immunochromatography
✓ Direct Fluorescent Antibody Assay
Determine what diagnostic test is employed:
A capsule with a string is swallowed by the patient until it reaches the gastric contentofthe stomach; removed after 4-6 hours
Beale string test/Enterotest
Determine what diagnostic test is employed:
* For antigen detection in stool
* Utilizes the VSPs
Immunochromatography test
Determine what diagnostic test is employed:
* Serological Gold standard test for detection of G. lamblia infection
Direct Flourescent Antibody Assay
