Giardia duodenalis or lamblia By Kamran Ahmed

Introduction Unicellular, eukaryotic, protozoan flagellate Transmitted by fecal-oral route Lives in small intestine Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, and weight loss

Discovery 1681 – Anton van Leeuwenhoek first observed trophozoites in his own diarrheal stools. 1859 – Vilem Dusan Lambl did more extensive research and parasite came to be named after him. Scientific community did not realize that Giardia was cause of diarrhea outbreaks until the 1970’s when it started appearing in southern California. Until that time, they had thought Giardia was a harmless inhabitant of the intestines.

Opening section of Leeuwenhoek’s letter describing discovery of Giardia. This is letter No. 66 in the Leeuwenhoek archive of the Royal Society of London addressed to Robert Hooke dated November 4, 1681. Vilem Dusan Lambl Anton van Leeuwenhoek

Spreading Giardia Drinking from mountain streams on hikes Spread Giardia Stop spread of Giardia Drinking from mountain streams on hikes Not washing hands Swimming in contaminated lakes or rivers Contaminating other streams with canteens Day cares Worldwide problem Boiling water Washing hands Using Giardia water filters

Movements or Migrations that Increase Prevalence Wars (P.O.W. Camps) Traveling to undeveloped countries (Traveler’s Diarrhea)

Infrastructure Wastewater irrigation Free-roaming cattle Wells exposed to run-off

Health Care Response Treatment – metronidazole (oral pill taken for 5-10 days) Side-effects – nausea, dizziness, headache Mostly endemic in unsanitary areas

Anthropogenic Effects Sewer systems decrease prevalence Keeping animals away from sources of drinking water reduces water contamination – urbanization or better ranching techniques.