1. Click to edit Master subtitle style 1/27/09 Giardia! Garth Kreitz Amber Spence Period 2

2. Click to edit the outline text format Second Outline Level  Third Outline Level Fourth Outline Level  Fifth Outline Level  Sixth Outline Level  Seventh Outline Level  Eighth Outline Level Ninth Outline LevelClick to edit Master text styles – Second level Third level – Fourth level » Fifth level 1/27/09 Structure & Clinical Features Giardia Iamblia is neither bacterium nor virus, but rather a protozoan with a complex life cycle, but ultimately two stages- the cyst, and the trophozoite. Although Giardia Iamblia thrives in the intestinal walls of creatures, a very important feature of it is that it can still survive outside the body for long periods of time. It is able to form a hard shell like casing that allows it to exist outside a body for weeks even months at a time. In the picture to the right, the far left structure shows the Giardia Iamblia protozoan with its hard outer shell being active.

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4. Common Diseases The protozoan Giardia Iamblia cause the disease Giardia (Giardiasis). This can be detected through symptoms such as diarrhea, gas/flatulence, greasy stools that float, stomach/abdominal cramps, upset stomach, and nausea. Often from the diarrhea comes a heightened weight loss, as well has dangerous dehydration Giardia is often passed through soil, food, feces, or contaminated water. One CAN become infected from swallowing this parasite but CANNOT become infected by blood, which is a misnomer.

5. Click to edit the outline text format Second Outline Level  Third Outline Level Fourth Outline Level  Fifth Outline Level  Sixth Outline Level  Seventh Outline Level  Eighth Outline Level Ninth Outline LevelClick to edit Master text styles – Second level Third level – Fourth level » Fifth level 1/27/09 First Steps to Infection Giardia Iamblia, not being a virus, enters the body by the subject swallowing the parasite (whether it be in soil, food, feces, or water). From here, the oocysts (egg) sit tight tell they reach the intestinal tract, where they then commence to hatching and subdividing, then attaching to the wall of the intestine. Here, the protozoan colonizes and reproduces.

6. Click to edit the outline text format Second Outline Level  Third Outline Level Fourth Outline Level  Fifth Outline Level  Sixth Outline Level  Seventh Outline Level  Eighth Outline Level Ninth Outline LevelClick to edit Master text styles – Second level Third level – Fourth level » Fifth level 1/27/09 What it Does If an inactive cyst is swallowed, then the stomach breaks the hard coating of the egg, and once in the intestine, it begins to multiply and accumulate to the thousands, thus damaging the wall of the intestine and cause the absorbtion of food and other products. This great disruption in digestion is what ultimately leads to the diarrhea; the main symptom of Giardia. In time, the cysts break off, transforming into cysts once again, and are digested out and left on the feces. This is how it is transferred.

7. Click to edit the outline text format Second Outline Level  Third Outline Level Fourth Outline Level  Fifth Outline Level  Sixth Outline Level  Seventh Outline Level  Eighth Outline Level Ninth Outline LevelClick to edit Master text styles – Second level Third level – Fourth level » Fifth level 1/27/09 Nucleic Acid and Genome replication As it is a prokaryote and not a virus, Giardia contains DNA and does not hijack cells to replicate. Instead, Giardia forms cysts that contain eggs, which in turn contain the parasites. This is how Giardia reproduces.

8. Click to edit the outline text format Second Outline Level  Third Outline Level Fourth Outline Level  Fifth Outline Level  Sixth Outline Level  Seventh Outline Level  Eighth Outline Level Ninth Outline LevelClick to edit Master text styles – Second level Third level – Fourth level » Fifth level 1/27/09 Treatment Several drugs have been created to fight giardia (although only one has been officially sanctioned in the us, furazolidone): Metronidazole Furoxone Tindazol And more Common side effects include: naseau, dizziness, a metallic taste, and head aches.

9. Click to edit the outline text format Second Outline Level  Third Outline Level Fourth Outline Level  Fifth Outline Level  Sixth Outline Level  Seventh Outline Level  Eighth Outline Level Ninth Outline LevelClick to edit Master text styles – Second level Third level – Fourth level » Fifth level 1/27/09 Prevention Wash hands before and after meals, using restrooms, and outdoor activity. Do not use or ingest water that has not been treated or boiled to remove any wastes (this includes ice!). Do not eat uncooked or unpeeled fruits and or vegetables that may have grown in giardia-friendly conditions. Avoid anal/oral intercourse.