DNA Fingerprinting of the Human Intestinal Parasite Giardia intestinalis with Hypervariable Minisatellite Sequences

Giardia lamblia (also referred to as Giardia intestinalis and Giardia duodenalis) is the most common intestinal parasite in the world, affecting approximately 200 million people annually. Symptoms of Giardia include foul-smelling diarrhea, abdominal cramping, bloating, gas, and nausea. Although usually self-limiting, Giardia can progress to dehydration, malnutrition, and failure to thrive, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Early diagnosis and treatment is imperative to prevent and control infection of Giardia. Infectious Disease Society of America diagnostic guidelines recommend obtaining stool studies to diagnose Giardia; when stool studies are negative but suspicion remains high, duodenal aspirate microscopy is the only alternative diagnostic strategy suggested. We report a patient diagnosed incidentally with Giardia from a duodenal biopsy specimen obtained during a workup for a gastrointestinal bleed. There are limited cases of Giardia diagnosed by duodenal biopsy reported in the literature. We review studies that suggest duodenal biopsy can be a very sensitive strategy for the diagnosis of Giardia.

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Prevalence of intestinal parasite infection in dogs from selected rural areas of central and southern Poland

Roczniki Naukowe Polskiego Towarzystwa Zootechnicznego ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0013.5321 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 61-69

Author(s):

Justyna Bartosik ◽

Karolina Dziwirek ◽

Jacek Łojek ◽

Justyna Kaczyk ◽

Paweł Górski

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Intestinal Parasite ◽

Toxocara Canis ◽

Parasite Infection ◽

Giardia Intestinalis ◽

Intestinal Parasite Infection ◽

Faecal Samples ◽

The Family ◽

Trichuris Vulpis ◽

Toxascaris Leonina

The main aim of the study was to compare parasites of dogs living in rural areas of selected counties of the Masovian and Małopolska Voivodeships. Furthermore, the prevalence of intestinal parasite infection was determined in relation to selected factors (sex and season). The research was carried out from October 2015 to May 2016. A total of 207 faecal samples were analysed by the flotation method and by direct smears. Infection by protozoa and nematodes was observed. The mean prevalence was 17.8% for Giardia intestinalis, 0.9% for coccidia of the genus Cystoisospora, 7.2% for Toxocara canis, 2.4% for Toxascaris leonina, 20.2% for Trichuris vulpis and 22.2% for nematodes of the family Ancylostomatidae. Infection with particular parasites was more common in males than in females. The occurrence of Giardia intestinalis and hookworms was statistically significantly correlated with the sex of the host and the season.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Evidence for karyogamy and exchange of genetic material in the binucleate intestinal parasite Giardia intestinalis.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.1103849.569057 ◽

2008 ◽

Author(s):

Jacqueline Upcroft

Keyword(s):

Intestinal Parasite ◽

Genetic Material ◽

Giardia Intestinalis

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