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Query: UMLS:C0017536 (giardiasis)
 1,714 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Wide variation has been observed in the natural history of human and murine giardiasis, which could be due to factors associated with the parasite or with the host. In humans, prolonged infections with Giardia duodenalis have been associated with hypogammaglobulinemia, protein-calorie malnutrition, and prior gastrectomy. The duration of infection or severity of symptoms may also be influenced by the humoral immune response and by other factors such as ABO blood group and HLA antigen type. Elimination of Giardia muris is impaired in hypothymic mice, B-cell-deficient mice expressing the xid gene, and in mice deficient in mast cells. Prolonged infections also occur following depletion of helper/inducer T cells and suppression of antibody production with antisera to IgM. However, quantitative or qualitative defects in immune function do not appear to account for prolonged cyst excretion in C3H/He, C3H/HeJ, and A/J mice. The defect in these strains is influenced by several genes and may involve intermediate or late stages of macrophage activation leading to impaired elimination of the parasite.
Clin Infect Dis 1993 Mar
PMID:Genetic studies of human and murine giardiasis. 845 66

Twenty patients with intestinal giardiasis, already resistant to 3-5 previous courses of oral metronidazole, were randomly distributed into 2 different groups: 10 subjects were given oral albendazole (440 mg/two times per day for 7 days) and 10 were submitted to the association of albendazole (400 mg/two times per day for 7 days) plus metronidazole (250 mg/three times per day for 7 days). All patients were evaluated both for clinical and parasitological status, immediately before and after therapy and, then, 4 weeks later. Only 3 patients of those treated with albendazole alone, showed a clinical and parasitological remission at the end of therapy, and one of them relapsed 4 weeks later. All patients who underwent albendazolemetronidazole association responded to the therapy and all except one were defined as "cured" 4 weeks later. Our study demonstrates that albendazole alone is not an effective therapeutic alternative for "metronidazole-resistant" giardiasis. The association of metronidazole plus albendazole seems synergic and deserves further studies.
Clin Ter 1995 Dec
PMID:[Synergic effect of albendazole plus metronidazole association in the treatment of metronidazole-resistant giardiasis]. 868 95

We report a case of isolated levothyroxine malabsorption in the course of chronic intestinal giardiasis, leading to severe hypothyroidism. Infection with Giardia lamblia was proved histologically by jejunal biopsy. Treatment with metronidazole resulted in complete elimination of parasites and recovery of regular intestinal thyroid hormone absorption. Stable euthyroidism was accomplished with common replacement doses of orally administered levothyroxine.
Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 1996
PMID:Chronic intestinal giardiasis with isolated levothyroxine malabsorption as reason for severe hypothyroidism--implications for localization of thyroid hormone absorption in the gut. 874 Sep 44

Hypokalemic myopathy may occur in several infections. We report a case of severe and transient myopathy secondary to hypokalemia induced by chronic intestinal infection with Giardia lamblia in a patient with common variable hypogammaglobulinemia. Hypokalemic myopathy is documented by serum enzymes, electromyography (reduction in the number of voluntarily activated motor unit action potentials and an increase in polyphasic motor unit action potentials, and pathological changes (hematoxylin-eosin, ATPase staining). The case reported involves hypokalemic myopathy induced by giardiasis in a patient with primary immunodeficiency; the histopathological changes observed in a skin/muscle biopsy from this patient are described for the first time.
Int J Clin Lab Res 1996
PMID:Giardiasis as a cause of hypokalemic myopathy in congenital immunodeficiency. 885 67

Despite rapid progress in understanding the biology of Giardia, several questions remain unanswered. First, there is no adequate explanation for the diverse clinical spectrum of giardiasis. Second, the mechanisms by which Giardia produces diarrhea and malabsorption are poorly understood, although some progress has been made. Finally, despite extensive studies in animal models and human infections, the key immunologic determinants for clearance of acute infection and development of protective immunity remain ill defined. This article discusses the epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of giardiasis.
Gastroenterol Clin North Am 1996 Sep
PMID:Giardiasis. 886 37

This article reviews recent advances in laboratory diagnosis of equine parasitic diseases. Laboratory diagnosis of most equine parasitic diseases continues to rely on standard methods. Only laboratory diagnostic tests for EPM, cryptosporidiosis, and giardiasis were included. The criteria for testing and interpretation of results for each new diagnostic method were explained. Western blot and PCR testing for EPM and immunofluorescent staining with monoclonal antibodies for cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis were reviewed.
Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 1995 Dec
PMID:Recent advances in the laboratory diagnosis of equine parasitic diseases. 892 19

The substitution of enzyme immunoassay (EIA) techniques for microscopy as a screening tool for Giardia lamblia infection was assessed. Paired stool samples obtained within a ten-day period from 366 patients with persistent diarrhea were examined by microscopy. In addition, two commercially available Giardia lamblia-specific EIAs were performed. Compared with microscopy, EIA for copro-antigen detection was more sensitive, based on examination of either one or two stool samples. Repeated examinations increased the number of cases detected, more so for microscopy than EIA. The negative predictive values of the two EIAs performed on the first stool sample were 98.7% and 97.8%. The results show that EIA for detection of copro-antigens in a single stool sample may be almost as sensitive for identifying Giardia infection as repeated microscopy on two sequential stool samples.
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 1997 Aug
PMID:Sensitivity of microscopy versus enzyme immunoassay in the laboratory diagnosis of giardiasis. 932 78

The discovery of new infectious agents often overshadows the continuing impact and importance of well-established organisms. In the case of diarrheal disease, Entamoeba histolytica and its complications remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Although it is also present in developing countries, Giardia lamblia is a primary cause of waterborne outbreaks of diarrhea in developed countries. Persons at risk of developing giardiasis in these countries include backpackers and campers who drink untreated stream water or persons who drink improperly treated municipal water containing infective cysts. Investigators have recently identified the mechanisms used by these organisms to colonize the intestinal tract and to cause disease. New methods of identification using immunologic principles have been added to the traditional microscopic methods of identification.
Clin Lab Sci
PMID:Still around and still dangerous: Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica. 1017 6

The intestinal protozoan Giardia duodenalis is a widespread opportunistic parasite of humans and animals. This parasite inhabits the upper part of the small intestine and has a direct life cycle. After ingestion of cysts, which are the infective stage, the trophozoites emerge from the cysts in the duodenum and attach to the small intestinal mucosa of the host. Since the migration of trophozoites from the lumen of the intestine into surrounding tissues is an unusual occurrence, the immune response to Giardia remains localized. The identification of antigens that play a role in acquired immunity has been difficult because of the occurrence of antigenic variation and because, Giardia being an ubiquitous organism, it is possible that the antigenic profiles of isolates from different geographic areas will vary. Innate-immunity mechanisms play a role in the control and/or severity of the infection. Both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses play a role in acquired immunity, but the mechanisms involved are unknown. A variety of serological assays have been used to detect circulating antibodies in serum. Because of the biological characteristics of the parasite and the lack of suitable antigens, the sensitivity of serological assays remains poor. On the other hand, detection of antigens in feces of infected patients has met with success. Commercial kits are available, and they are reported to be more sensitive than microscopic examination for the detection of giardiasis on a single specimen.
Clin Microbiol Rev 2000 Jan
PMID:Immune response to Giardia duodenalis. 1062 90

Giardiasis is a common protozoan infection, with varying clinical manifestations. We investigated the associations between Giardia lamblia carriage and environmental, family, illness, and growth characteristics. Bedouin infants (n=234) were followed from birth to age 18-23 months. At monthly home visits, stool samples were obtained, history of illness was determined, and an environmental assessment was done. The comparisons presented are between 4 groups defined by length of carriage of G. lamblia. Study children had a mean+/-SD of 4.1+/-2.9 diarrhea episodes. No illness, environmental, or family characteristics were associated with length of carriage. Significant differences were found in weight-for-age and weight-for-height z scores between the never-positive-for-G. lamblia group and all other carriage groups combined. Faltering growth was shown to be subsequent to G. lamblia infection rather than preceding it. Our findings confirm that G. lamblia carriage is not associated with diarrhea. However, the effect on growth deserves further investigation.
Clin Infect Dis 2000 Mar
PMID:Giardia lamblia carriage in Israeli Bedouin infants: risk factors and consequences. 1072 22


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