2nd August 2023

Giardiasis

Giardiasis is caused by the protozoan Giardia lamblia. It is responsible for many diarrhoeal illnesses seen in international travellers. It is prevalent in resource deprived settings and in areas with poor sanitary conditions. It is mainly transmitted via the faeco-oral route but can also be transmitted through contaminated, uncooked food, contaminated water and male-male sexual contact.

Clinically self-limiting, giardiasis presents after a long incubation period of one to two weeks, mainly with GI symptoms of diarrhoea, malaise, foul-smelling stool, steatorrhoea, bloating, crampy abdominal pain and weight loss. Patients may also be asymptomatic. Diagnosis with stool antigen detection assays has superseded stool microscopy due to higher sensitivity and faster processing time. Treatment is with metronidazole if required.