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Giardia (view source)

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|sub-order =

|super-family =

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|family =

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|family =Diplomonadidae

|sub-family =

|genus =Giardia

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[[Image:Giardia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Giardia'' - Joaquim Castellà Veterinary Parasitology Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona]]

[[Image:Giardia cyst.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Giardia'' cyst - Courtesy of the Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine]]

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==Overview==

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These protozoan parasite are found in humans as well as wild and domestic animals. They are a common cause of severe [[Diarrhoea|diarrhoea]].

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==Recognition==

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*Flagellate protozoa

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''Giardia spp.'' are flagellate protozoa with 8 flagella, 6 of which emerge from the body and are used in motility. They are 15-20μm long, pear shaped with a flat ventral surface. The most unique feature of this protozoa is the presence of a large adhesive disk in the flat surface that is used for attaching to the intestinal mucosa.

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*Found in the intestine of humans

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==Life Cycle==

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*Associated with chronic [[Diarrhoea|diarrhoea]]

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*Found in both wild and domestic animals

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*15-20μm long

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*Pear-shaped

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*8 flagella

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**6 flagellae are free

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*Large adhesive discs to hold onto intestinal mucosa

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~~==Life Cycle==~~

*Simple and direct

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***Some subspecies are zoonotic

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~~==Diagnosis==~~

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*Faecal examination

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**Cysts need to be distinguished from pollen grains and yeasts

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*Cyst excretion is intermittent

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**Faeces need to be collected over a 3 day period

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*Cysts are '''heavy'''

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**Needs higher density flotation fluids

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**Do not float well in saturated sodium chloride solution

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*Immunoassays

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**Detect cyst antigen in faeces

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~~==Control and Treatment==~~

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*Sanitation and hygiene

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**Minimise risk of human infection

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*Boil (or sterilise through other means) drinking water in regions of the world where drinking water may be contaminated

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*Avoid uncooked foodstuffs

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**Contaminated by washing

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*[[Ectoparasiticides|Drug Treatments]]

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**Metronidazole

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***Flagyl, Torgyl

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**Fenbendazole

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***Panacur

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*[[Vaccines - WikiBlood|Vaccination]]

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**Killed trophozoites

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**Available in the USA for cats and dogs

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**Decreases the excretion and viability of cysts

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**Decreases environmental pressure

<big>'''[[Giardia Flashcards]]</big>

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Giardia (view source)

Revision as of 23:17, 6 August 2010

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