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|sub-order          =
 
|sub-order          =
 
|super-family      =
 
|super-family      =
|family            =
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|family            =Diplomonadidae
 
|sub-family        =
 
|sub-family        =
 
|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]]
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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==
 
==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
 
*Simple and direct
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***Some subspecies are zoonotic
 
***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>
 
<big>'''[[Giardia Flashcards]]</big>
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