Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification. Abdominal ultrasonography (ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs) – for basic diagnostics. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen (abdominal CT) – for advanced diagnostics.
To prevent giardiasis, particular attention must be paid to reducing risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Poor hand hygiene Contact with contaminated drinking water Consumption of contaminated food Note!Individuals with blood group A are more likely to be affected by giardiasis. General prophylactic measures Personal hygiene with hand hygiene, toilet hygiene. Drinking water / kitchen hygiene … Giardiasis: Prevention
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate giardiasis: Diarrhea (diarrhea) – often foamy and watery. Malabsorption Weight loss Anorexia (loss of appetite) Vomiting Steatorrhea (fatty stools) Meteorism (bloated abdomen) Hyperperistalsis – increased movements of the intestine. Often the infection is asymptomatic, ie without symptoms. In children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals, severe courses may occur.
Pathogenesis (development of disease) Giardia lamblia is a protozoan (single-celled organism) that lives in the intestine of humans and occurs in a stable cyst or as a vegetatively active trophozoite (vegetative life stage adult protists (also called protoctists) are eukaryotic organisms that are now considered to belong to a separate kingdom of living organisms). Giardiasis … Giardiasis: Causes
General measures Observance of the general hygiene measures! Preservation of the normal weight strive! Determination of BMI (body mass index, body mass index) or body composition by means of electrical impedance analysis. Falling below the BMI lower limit (from the age of 19: 19; from the age of 25: 20; from the age of 35: … Giardiasis: Therapy
Therapeutic targets Rehydration (fluid balance). Elimination of pathogens to prevent – possibly monosymptomatic – malabsorption syndromes (diseases caused by impaired absorption of substrates from the intestine) and avoid environmental diseases. Therapy recommendations Symptomatic therapy including fluid replacement – oral rehydration for signs of dehydration (fluid deficiency; > 3% weight loss): administration of oral rehydration solutions … Giardiasis: Drug Therapy
Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of giardiasis. Family history What is the general health of your relatives? Social history What is your profession? Have you been abroad recently? If so, where exactly? Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints). Do you have diarrhea? How long does the … Giardiasis: Medical History
Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99). Enteritis (intestinal infection) caused by other pathogens, unspecified. Mouth, esophagus (food pipe), stomach, and intestine (K00-K67; K90-K93). Celiac disease (gluten-induced enteropathy) – chronic disease of the mucosa of the small intestine (small intestinal mucosa) due to hypersensitivity to the cereal protein gluten.
The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by giardiasis: Eyes and eye appendages (H00-H59). Chorioretinitis – inflammation of the choroid (choroid) with retinal (retina) involvement. Conjunctivitis (conjunctivitis). “Salt-and-pepper” type changes in the retina. Uveitis – inflammation of the middle skin of the eye, which consists of the choroid … Giardiasis: Complications
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; further: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes and sclerae (white part of the eye). Abdomen (abdomen) Shape of the abdomen? Skin color? Skin texture? Efflorescences (skin changes)? Pulsations? Bowel movements? Visible vessels? Scars? … Giardiasis: Examination
1st order laboratory parameters – obligatory laboratory tests. Pathogen detection in stool, small bowel secretion, duodenal biopsy. Giardia antigen detection in stool (ELISA/IFT) [Detection of Giardia antigen in stool is more sensitive than microscopic diagnosis]. Direct or indirect detection of Giardia lamblia must be reported if the evidence indicates acute infection (Law on Prevention and … Giardiasis: Test and Diagnosis
