Lab Diagnosis of Giardiasis

Lab Diagnosis of Giardiasis:

1) Habitat :
- Duodenum
- Jejenum

2) Clinical Features:
- Diarrhea
- Flatulence
- Abdominal cramps
- Decreased appetite
- Change in weight
- No fever

3) Motility :
- Falling leaf motility
Lab Diagnosis
4) Specimen Required : Wet saline & iodine mount and Microscopy
- Stool samples
- Duodenal aspiration
- Enterotest ( This is usually done when the stool sample fails)
The enterotest requires you to swallow a gelatine capsule which is attached to a string , end of the string remains outside the mouth taped to the cheek. Capsule dissolves on the stomach and the string passes into the upper part of the small intestine. The string is left in place for 4-6 hours.

5) Morphology :
- Trophozoites ( Tennis racket shaped)
- Cyst ( oval and diagonal axostyles )



Fig 1: Trophozoite Fig 2 : A cyst
6) Treatment and prevention :

- Metronidazole or tinidazole
- Encourage the patient to take care of their hygiene and drink safe water.