Giardiasis Flashcards
Giardiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Giardia duodenalis (also known as Giardiasis lamblia and Giardiasis intestinalis. What is the incidence of this?
1 - 2500 cases per 100,000
2 - 250 cases per 100,000
3 - 25 cases per 100,000
4 - 2.5 cases per 100,000
3 - 25 cases per 100,000
Most commonly identified pathogen in adult travellers with prolonged diarrhoea
What age does the incidence of Giardiasis peak at?
1 - 1-5
2 - 10-21
3 - 30-40
4 - >65
1 - 1-5
Most common in younger age groups
Equally likely to affect males and females
How is gardia typically transmitted?
1 - contaminated water
2 - contaminated food
3 - dirty surface
4 - swimming in infected water
5 - all of the above
Giardiais protected by an outer shell called a cyst that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it somewhat tolerant to chlorine disinfection. It can survive for months in water that Is not fully chlorinated, including in lakes and rivers
5 - all of the above
Essentially dirty water
Gardia is most commonly associated with contaminated water. Gardia have an outer cyst shell that allows them survive, even in chlorinated water, rivers and lakes for how long?
1 - years
2 - months
3 - weeks
4 - days
2 - months
Gardia is commonly found worldwide but particularly common in areas with poor hygiene and sanitation facilities. Which of the following is it least likely to be found in?
1 - South Asia
2 - North America
3 - Middle East
4 - Central/South America
5 - Caribbean
2 - North America
What is the incubation period for Gardia?
1 - <7 days
2 - 5 to 25 days
3 - 7 to 15 days
4 - <21 days
2 - 5 to 25 days
Once infected, where do Gardia typically remain to feed off nutrients?
1 - stomach
2 - liver
3 - small intestines
4 - large intestines
3 - small intestines
Although not all patients present with symptoms, which of the following can infected patients typically present with?
1 - lethargy,
2 - bloating, abdominal pain and flatulence
3 - non-bloody diarrhoea/fatty and floating stool
4 - chronic diarrhoea, malabsorption and lactose intolerance can occur
5 - obstructed jaundice
6 - all of the above
6 - all of the above
Giardia generally has a more gradual onset of low-grade symptoms, with 2–5 loose stools per day.
What is typically the gold standard diagnosis for Giardiasis?
1 - PCR
2 - ELISA
3 - Faecal ova and parasite (O&P)
4 - Colonoscopy and biopsy
3 - Faecal ova and parasite (O&P)
If a patient with Giardiasis has suspected obstructed jaundice, which of the following would occur?
1 - high AST and GGT
2 - high AST and ALT
3 - high ALP and GGT
4 - high AST and ALP
3 - high ALP and GGT
Linked with ductal problems
AST and ALT would be high if it is a hepatic problem
Faecal ova and parasite (O&P) is a test to look for Gardia eggs or parasites in the stool. To diagnose Gardia using this approach, how many stool samples are required?
1 - 7 specimens (1 each day of week)
2 - 5 separate specimens on different days
3 - 3 separate specimens on different days
4 - 1 specimen
3 - 3 separate specimens on different days
1 sample gives 50-70% positive findings
3 samples gives >90% positive findings
ELISAs can also be used
If a patient has 3 negative Faecal ova and parasite (O&P) and ELISA, but suggestive of Giardiasis infection, what 2 would be the next way to diagnose a patient?
1 - use clinical diagnosis only
2 - upper GI endoscopy with biopsies and duodenal aspirate can be considered.
3 - real time PCR
4 - serum anti-Giardiaimmunoglobulin M (IgM)
2 - upper GI endoscopy with biopsies and duodenal aspirate can be considered.
4 - serum anti-Giardiaimmunoglobulin M (IgM)
Symptoms can be prolonged for months or years before a diagnosis is made
What is the 1st line treatment for Giardiasis?
1 - doxycycline
2 - metronidazole
3 - praziquantel
4 - aciclovir
2 - metronidazole
Is Giardiasis a notifiable disease?
- Yes
Need to notify UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA)
Following treatment for Giardiasis, how long should patients be advised not to swim following their last bout of diarrhoea?
1 - >7 days
2 - >2 weeks
3 - >4 weeks
4 - >6 months
2 - >2 weeks
