GIARDIA LAMBLIABy

MEHTAB SHAH B.S MLT 06 06

INTRODUCTION It is a intestinal single-celled parasite . Giardia lamblia is a flagellate of world-

wide distribution Reproduce by binary fission. Have a trophozoite and cyst phases. Direct life cycle. It has two nuclei and eight flagella. Lives in duodenum and jejunum. Typically found in lakes, streams, or ponds

that have been contaminated by human and other animals.

It causes giardiasis.

MORPHOLOGY

Two stages: :

1.1. Trophozoite Trophozoite

2.2. cystcyst

Trophozoite SHAPE Pear shaped,Pear shaped, Tennis racked shape or heart Tennis racked shape or heart

shape(when viewed flat).shape(when viewed flat).Size Length: 10-20umLength: 10-20um Width: 5-15umWidth: 5-15um Thickness:2-4umThickness:2-4um

Contd……….……….Body Bilaterally symmetrical having a Bilaterally symmetrical having a

peared structure.peared structure.Axostyles Two in numbers, seen in midline as Two in numbers, seen in midline as

vertical lines.vertical lines.Nuclei Two or one on each side of body.Two or one on each side of body.

Contd…….…….

Flagella 4 pairs helping in moving.4 pairs helping in moving.

Sucking discs Circular in shapeCircular in shape Situated on ventral surfacesSituated on ventral surfaces

CYSTShape Oval or ellipsoidOval or ellipsoidSize Length: 12umLength: 12um Width: 8umWidth: 8umNuclei Two nuclei in immature cystTwo nuclei in immature cyst Four nuclei in mature cyst.Four nuclei in mature cyst.Flagella &sucking discs may be seen in cytoplasm.may be seen in cytoplasm.

Mature cyst

Life cycle of Life cycle of Giardia lambliaGiardia lamblia

TrophozoitesTrophozoites

TrophozoitesTrophozoites CystsCystsMature CystsMature Cysts

Duodenum, upper ileum, gall bladder

The lower portionThe lower portionof ileum or colonof ileum or colon

Contaminate waterand food

Stool

OutsideOutside

Multiplied by binary fission

DiarrheaDiarrhea

OutsideOutside

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Giardia_life_cycle_en.svg

Trophozoites are attached to the mucosa Trophozoites are attached to the mucosa surface by sucker, surface by sucker, reproduced by binary fissionreproduced by binary fission

Diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, Diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomitingnausea, and vomiting

Mechanical blockage of the intestinal mucosa, Mechanical blockage of the intestinal mucosa, competition for nutrients, inflammationcompetition for nutrients, inflammation

HistologyHistology: : shortening of microvilli, elongation of crypts, shortening of microvilli, elongation of crypts, and damaging the brush border of the absorptive cellsand damaging the brush border of the absorptive cells

G. lambliaG. lamblia inhabits in the duodenum and upper inhabits in the duodenum and upper ileumileum

Pathogenesis

Habitat & transmission

Trophozites Definitive host:Definitive host: Human intestineHuman intestine

Cyst Human colon & contaminated Human colon & contaminated

materialmaterial

Transmission

VIA FEACEL-ORAL ROUTE

Symptoms

Abdominal painAbdominal pain Diarrhea Diarrhea Gas or bloatingGas or bloating Headache Headache Loss of appetite Loss of appetite Low-grade fever Low-grade fever NauseaNausea Swollen or distended abdomen Swollen or distended abdomen Vomiting Vomiting

How long after infection do symptoms appear?

Symptoms of giardiasis normally begin 1 to 2 weeks (average 7 days) after becoming infected

Possible Complications

Dehydration Malabsorption Weight loss

DiagnosisPathogenic examination(1) Fecal examination

Water-like feces: trophozoitesFormed feces: cystsFormed feces: cysts

(2) Duodenal fluid or bile (2) Duodenal fluid or bile examinationexamination

Diagnosis

ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosoebent assay

IFA: indirect fluorescent antibody

PCR: polymerase chain reaction

How can prevent a Giardia infection?

Avoid water that might be contaminated.

Avoid food that might be contaminated.

Boil water before drinking.

Do not brush teeth with tap water that may be contaminated.

Do not use ice or drink beverages made from tap water that may be contaminated.

Wash hands before eating food etc.

Treatment The most common treatment for

giardiasis is metronidazole (Flagyl) for 5-10 days. It eradicates the Giardia more than 85% of the time.

Furoxone for 7-10 days. Quinacrine is very effective for treating

giardiasis. Combination therapy also may be

effective (e.g., quinacrine and metronidazole).

And KEEP SMILING