What disease is caused by Giardia intestinalis
Matthew Martinez
Updated on April 09, 2026
Giardiasis is a diarrheal illness caused by Giardia intestinalis (also known as Giardia lamblia or Giardia duodenalis), a one-celled, microscopic protozoan parasite. The parasite is passed in the stool of an infected person or animal.
What does Giardia intestinalis cause?
Giardia infection is an intestinal infection marked by stomach cramps, bloating, nausea and bouts of watery diarrhea. Giardia infection is caused by a microscopic parasite that is found worldwide, especially in areas with poor sanitation and unsafe water.
What type of pathogen is Giardia intestinalis?
Causal Agent. Giardia duodenalis is a protozoan flagellate (Diplomonadida). This protozoan was initially named Cercomonas intestinalis by Lambl in 1859.
What disease is related to Giardia?
Giardia is a tiny parasite (germ) that causes the diarrheal disease giardiasis. Giardia is found on surfaces or in soil, food, or water that has been contaminated with feces (poop) from infected people or animals.Why Giardia intestinalis is called?
Giardia duodenalis, also known as Giardia intestinalis and Giardia lamblia, is a flagellated parasitic microorganism, that colonizes and reproduces in the small intestine, causing a diarrheal condition known as giardiasis.
Why is giardiasis called beaver fever?
Giardiasis is sometimes called “beaver fever” after an outbreak in which hikers at Banff National Park became ill from drinking stream water contaminated with Giardia from beavers.
What parasite causes Giardia?
What is giardiasis? Giardiasis is a diarrheal disease caused by the microscopic parasite Giardia duodenalis (or “Giardia” for short). Once a person or animal has been infected with Giardia, the parasite lives in the intestines and is passed in stool (poop).
What causes parasites in humans?
Parasitic infections can be spread in a number of ways. For example, protozoa and helminths can be spread through contaminated water, food, waste, soil, and blood. Some can be passed through sexual contact. Some parasites are spread by insects that act as a vector, or carrier, of the disease.Is Giardia a communicable disease?
Is Giardiasis Contagious? Giardiasis is very contagious, and can spread easily among families. In childcare centers or any facility caring for a group of people, or people who are traveling, giardiasis can easily pass from person to person.
Is Giardia a virus?“Giardia is not a “worm”, bacteria or virus.” Giardia is a simple one-celled parasitic species; it is not a “worm”, bacteria or virus. There are seven genotypes, A through G, with dogs being most commonly infected by C and D, cats with F, and humans most commonly infected with A and B.
Article first time published onWhich disease is caused by Ascaris lumbricoides?
Ascariasis is an infection of the small intestine caused by Ascaris lumbricoides, which is a species of roundworm. Roundworms are a type of parasitic worm. Infections caused by roundworms are fairly common. Ascariasis is the most common roundworm infection.
What is the host parasite relationship of Giardia intestinalis?
It is well known that in some cases it is the host that responsible for the symptoms of the infection. Thus, for instance, clinical giardiasis links with immunodeficiency, malnutrition or young age. There are also evidences that some Giardia isolates have enhanced potency to provoke the disease of the host.
What is filarial disease?
Filariasis is an infectious tropical disease caused by any one of several thread-like parasitic round worms. The two species of worms most often associated with this disease are Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi. The larval form of the parasite transmits the disease to humans by the bite of a mosquito.
Who discovered Giardia intestinalis?
Giardia was initially described by van Leeuwenhoek in 1681 as he was examining his own diarrheal stools under the microscope (66). The organism was described in greater detail by Lambl in 1859, who thought the organism belonged to the genus Cercomonas and named it Cercomonas intestinalis (172).
What protozoan causes toxoplasmosis?
Causal Agent: Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that infects most species of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and causes the disease toxoplasmosis.
Can parasites cause celiac disease?
Conclusion: Celiac disease is the most common cause of malabsorption syndrome in both adults and children. In this study we found that, intestinal parasites are associated with malabsorption syndrome, particularly in CD patients.
Where is Giardia most common in the world?
Giardia is the most common gut parasite in the United Kingdom, and infection rates are especially high in Eastern Europe. Prevalence rates of 0.94-4.66% and 2.41-10.99% have been reported in Italy. A 2005 study demonstrated a Giardia infection rate of 19.6 per 100,000 population per year in Canada.
What is the most common parasitic infection?
Some people think of parasitic infections, like malaria, as occurring only in developing countries or in tropical areas, but parasitic infections exist in North America as well. The most common ones found in North America include Giardia infections (through contaminated water) and toxoplasmosis (spread by cats).
What are the symptoms of cryptosporidium?
- Watery diarrhea.
- Stomach cramps or pain.
- Dehydration.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Fever.
- Weight loss.
What diseases do beavers carry?
Tularemia is a bacterial disease that often affects wildlife, most often causing die-offs of rabbits, beavers, and small rodents. Tularemia can also spread to humans and can cause serious clinical symptoms in humans and animals.
What kills human Giardia?
You may not need treatment. If you have more severe parasite symptoms, your provider may prescribe an antibiotic with antiparasitic effect to kill the parasite. Giardia medications include: Metronidazole (Flagyl®).
Can you pass Giardia through kissing?
People can spread the Giardia parasite even if they do not have symptoms. ➢ Pets can also be infected and can spread Giardia to you through their feces. ➢ Giardia is NOT spread from one person to another by coughing or sneezing, sharing drinks, hugging or kissing.
Can you get Giardia twice?
Recurrent giardiasis is not uncommon – one third of infected patients may develop recurrent or chronic symptoms. When assessing a patient with on-going symptoms following confirmed G. lamblia infection, consider whether it could be: a) post-infectious sequelae, b) reinfection, or c) resistance to treatment.
What are the parasitic diseases?
- Body Lice.
- Chagas Disease.
- Cryptosporidiosis.
- Foodborne Illness.
- Giardia Infections.
- Head Lice.
- Leishmaniasis.
- Malaria.
Can humans poop worms?
Intestinal worms can also cause a rash or itching around the rectum or vulva. In some cases, you will pass a worm in your stool during a bowel movement. Some people may have intestinal worms for years without experiencing any symptoms.
Is a virus a parasite?
Excerpt. Viruses are small obligate intracellular parasites, which by definition contain either a RNA or DNA genome surrounded by a protective, virus-coded protein coat. Viruses may be viewed as mobile genetic elements, most probably of cellular origin and characterized by a long co-evolution of virus and host.
Can Giardia cause long term problems?
Occasionally, people with giardiasis will have long-term complications such as reactive arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and recurring diarrhea that can last for years. Among children in particular, severe giardiasis may delay physical and mental growth, slow development, and cause malnutrition.
What is the best medicine for giardia?
Metronidazole (Flagyl). Metronidazole is the most commonly used antibiotic for giardia infection. Side effects may include nausea and a metallic taste in the mouth.
Is ascariasis a communicable disease?
Ascariasis is communicable as long as the mature fertilised female worm lives in the intestine.
Which of the following disease is caused by protozoa?
The correct answer is Malaria. Malaria is caused by a protozoan parasite called Plasmodium.
Where does Amoebiasis occur?
Amebiasis usually happens in areas where living conditions are crowded and unsanitary. The illness is common in parts of Africa, Latin America, and Asia. It is rare in the United States, but is sometimes seen in people who have immigrated from or traveled to countries where amebiasis is more common.