Overview

Disease caused by the infectious agent, Giardia.


Diagnosis

  • Faecal examination
    • Cysts need to be distinguished from pollen grains and yeasts
  • Cyst excretion is intermittent
    • Faeces need to be collected over a 3 day period
  • Cysts are heavy
    • Needs higher density flotation fluids
    • Do not float well in saturated sodium chloride solution
  • Immunoassays
    • Detect cyst antigen in faeces

Control and Treatment

  • Sanitation and hygiene
    • Minimise risk of human infection
  • Boil (or sterilise through other means) drinking water in regions of the world where drinking water may be contaminated
  • Avoid uncooked foodstuffs
    • Contaminated by washing
  • Vaccination
    • Killed trophozoites
    • Available in the USA for cats and dogs
    • Decreases the excretion and viability of cysts
    • Decreases environmental pressure