Giardiasis: Clinical features and therapeutic measures

The pathology, clinical feature, immune response and treatment of Giardiasis in man are reviewed. Giardia lamblia is found worldwide and infection is most common where hygiene is poor. The typical presentation is with profuse diarrhoea, but infestation can be asymptomatic or occur with mild symptoms. There are reports of infestation associated with other systemic diseases such as asthma, urticaria, retinal arteritis and pancreatitis. Immunosuppression, especially in infections with HIV, can predispose to infestation which can be difficult to eradicate.