Sketchy Micro: Giardia

Question 1

How is Giardia transmitted?

Answer 1

Fecal-oral

Specifically, people get infected by the cysts of Giardia pooped out by another animal.

(Think of the poop in the water and the bubbles on the surface.)

Question 2

Which population is at high risk for Giardia?

Answer 2

Campers and hikers who don’t adequately filter their water (like the hikers in the boat wearing backpacks and drinking the river water)

Question 3

What symptoms does Giardia cause?

Answer 3

• Foul-smelling diarrhea (like the hikers pinching their noses)
• Steatorrhea (the river guide is sitting on a yellow stool)

Question 4

Giardia has a characteristic shape: _____________.

Answer 4

it is a tapering ovoid with flagella (represented by the indigenous shields with tassels on the sides of the canoe)

Question 5

Importantly, Giardia does not ___________.

Answer 5

invade

Think of the shields just stuck to the sides of the canoe.

Question 6

Both ______________ can be shed in the stool of someone infected with Giardia.

Answer 6

trophozoite Giardia and cyst Giardia

Question 7

How is Giardia treated?

Answer 7

Metronidazole (like the metro running behind the river)

Question 8

How is Giardia diagnosed?

Answer 8

Stool ELISA (like the name of the boat) or ova and parasite test of stool looking for Giardia