Difference between revisions of "Giardia"
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| − | |family = | + | |family =Diplomonadidae |
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|genus =Giardia | |genus =Giardia | ||
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[[Image:Giardia.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Giardia'' - Joaquim Castellà Veterinary Parasitology Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona]] | [[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]] | [[Image:Giardia cyst.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Giardia'' cyst - Courtesy of the Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine]] | ||
| + | ==Overview== | ||
| + | These protozoan parasite are found in humans as well as wild and domestic animals. They are a common cause of severe [[Diarrhoea|diarrhoea]]. | ||
| + | |||
==Recognition== | ==Recognition== | ||
| − | + | ''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. | |
| − | + | ==Life Cycle== | |
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*Simple and direct | *Simple and direct | ||
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***Some subspecies are zoonotic | ***Some subspecies are zoonotic | ||
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<big>'''[[Giardia Flashcards]]</big> | <big>'''[[Giardia Flashcards]]</big> | ||
Revision as of 23:17, 6 August 2010
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This article is still under construction. |
| Giardia | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Protista |
| Sub-kingdom | Biciliata |
| Phylum | Metamonada |
| Super-class | Eopharyngea |
| Class | Trepomonadea |
| Sub-class | Diplozoa |
| Order | Giardiida |
| Family | Diplomonadidae |
| Genus | Giardia |
Overview
These protozoan parasite are found in humans as well as wild and domestic animals. They are a common cause of severe diarrhoea.
Recognition
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.
Life Cycle
- Simple and direct
- Trophozoites attach to intestinal wall
- Reproduce by binary fission
- Form cysts of 10μm
- Multi-nucleate cysts formed intermittently
- Immediately infective when passed in faeces
- Prepatent period of 5-6 days
Pathogenesis
- Commonest cause of protozoal diarrhoea of man in the UK
- Common in domesticated animals
- Infections often asymptomatic in domestic animals
- Can cause villous atrophy leading to malabsorption
- Infection can persist for weeks to months if not treated
Epidemiology
- Infection via direct oral-faecal route or through contaminated water source (water-borne)
- Wild animals may act as a source of infection for humans
- E.g. Beavers
- Divided into 7 species
- G. duodenalis most commonly infects humans
- Some subspecies are zoonotic
- G. duodenalis most commonly infects humans