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Giardiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia and G. intestinalis). [3] Infected individuals who experience symptoms (about 10% have no symptoms) may have diarrhea , abdominal pain , and weight loss . [ 1 ]
This disease is the cause of both endemic and epidemic disease worldwide and is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and Canada. [ citation needed ] An infected individual can excrete between 1 million and 1 billion cysts daily, and the infectious dose can be as low as 10 cysts.
Giardia (/ dʒ iː ˈ ɑːr d i ə / or / ˈ dʒ ɑːr d i ə /) is a genus of anaerobic flagellated protozoan parasites of the phylum Metamonada that colonise and reproduce in the small intestines of several vertebrates, causing the disease giardiasis. Their life cycle alternates between a swimming trophozoite and an infective, resistant cyst.
Albendazole is a broad-spectrum antihelmintic and antiprotozoal agent of the benzimidazole type. [3] It is used for the treatment of a variety of intestinal parasite infections, including ascariasis, pinworm infection, hookworm infection, trichuriasis, strongyloidiasis, taeniasis, clonorchiasis, opisthorchiasis, cutaneous larva migrans, giardiasis, and gnathostomiasis, among other diseases.
However, it was effective in patients with higher CD4 counts. In treatment of giardiasis, nitazoxanide was superior to placebo and comparable to metronidazole. Nitazoxanide was successful in the treatment of metronidazole-resistant giardiasis. Studies have suggested efficacy in the treatment of cyclosporiasis, isosporiasis, and amebiasis. [29]
Paromomycin is an antimicrobial used to treat a number of parasitic infections including amebiasis, giardiasis, leishmaniasis, and tapeworm infection. [3] It is a first-line treatment for amebiasis or giardiasis during pregnancy. [3] Otherwise, it is generally a second line treatment option. [3]
Intestinal parasite prevention methods are not isolated to specific geographical areas; however, many of the research-based interventions have primarily taken place in underdeveloped countries and regions, where sanitation is a large concern for spreading disease.
Protozoa such as Giardia may cause longer term disease. [3] The risk is greatest in the first two weeks of travel and among young adults. [2] People affected are more often from the developed world. [2] Recommendations for prevention include eating only properly cleaned and cooked food, drinking bottled water, and frequent hand washing. [4]