Giardia Lamblia Report
Giardiasis
Disease Etiology: Giardiasis, also known as “traveler 's diarrhea,” [3] is caused by Giardia intestinalis. Other names for this parasite are Giardia lamblia, and Giardia duodenalis. There are many different genetic assemblages of this parasite, some that infect only mammals, some that infect primarily humans, and a few that will affect both animals and man. [1]
Transmission: While G. intestinalis “can live in the intestines of animals and people” it is very rare for a human to acquire such an infection from their cat or dog. [4], [1] The Giardia parasite can survive in “soil, food, and water.” [3] Transmission most frequently occurs when one ingests untreated water that has been contaminated by animal waste. It can also be contracted through direct contact with an infected person, consumption of raw/undercooked, contaminated meat, or sexual contact. [3], [6]
Reservoirs: As previously mentioned, there are multiple different types of G. intestinalis. These are sometimes categorized further into subtypes. For example, A-II infects only humans, and is more often seen than A-I (which can infect a variety of animals including dogs, cats and livestock; as well as humans). However, A-III and A-IV are seen only in animals. [1]
Specific Characteristics of Microbe: Giardia intestinalis is classified as such: [8]
Kingdom
Protista
Subkingdom
Protozoa
Phylum
Sarcomastigophora
Subphylum
Mastigophora
Class
Zoomastigophora
Order
Diplomonadida
Family
Hexamitidae
Genus
Giardia
Species
intestinalis (or duodenalis, lamblia)
There are two stages of life for the protozoal Giardia parasite. The trophozoite phase, and the cyst phase. In order to infect a host, the cyst phase of the uni-cellular organism must be ingested. Once in the stomach, the acidic environment activates the cyst and it releases trophozoites (the active form of G. intestinalis within the body). [2] The trophozoite form is very easily identified by it 's face-like
Disease Etiology: Giardiasis, also known as “traveler 's diarrhea,” [3] is caused by Giardia intestinalis. Other names for this parasite are Giardia lamblia, and Giardia duodenalis. There are many different genetic assemblages of this parasite, some that infect only mammals, some that infect primarily humans, and a few that will affect both animals and man. [1]
Transmission: While G. intestinalis “can live in the intestines of animals and people” it is very rare for a human to acquire such an infection from their cat or dog. [4], [1] The Giardia parasite can survive in “soil, food, and water.” [3] Transmission most frequently occurs when one ingests untreated water that has been contaminated by animal waste. It can also be contracted through direct contact with an infected person, consumption of raw/undercooked, contaminated meat, or sexual contact. [3], [6]
Reservoirs: As previously mentioned, there are multiple different types of G. intestinalis. These are sometimes categorized further into subtypes. For example, A-II infects only humans, and is more often seen than A-I (which can infect a variety of animals including dogs, cats and livestock; as well as humans). However, A-III and A-IV are seen only in animals. [1]
Specific Characteristics of Microbe: Giardia intestinalis is classified as such: [8]
Kingdom
Protista
Subkingdom
Protozoa
Phylum
Sarcomastigophora
Subphylum
Mastigophora
Class
Zoomastigophora
Order
Diplomonadida
Family
Hexamitidae
Genus
Giardia
Species
intestinalis (or duodenalis, lamblia)
There are two stages of life for the protozoal Giardia parasite. The trophozoite phase, and the cyst phase. In order to infect a host, the cyst phase of the uni-cellular organism must be ingested. Once in the stomach, the acidic environment activates the cyst and it releases trophozoites (the active form of G. intestinalis within the body). [2] The trophozoite form is very easily identified by it 's face-like
References: [1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Parasites – Giardia.” Last reviewed March 8th, 2011. http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/giardia/. 3/5/14. [2] John Hopkins Medicine Health Library [3] Vorvick L. J., Vyas J. M. and Zieve, D. “Giardia Infection.” Last updated May 30th, 2012. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000288.htm. 3/5/14. [6] Gargano J. W., Yoder J. S. “Giardiasis.” Last updated August 1st, 2013. http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2014/chapter-3-infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/giardiasis. 3/5/14. [13] Cowan, K. (2010). Microbiology: a systems approach. (2nd ed., pp. 138, 389t, 711-12). Boston: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.