Giardia Lamblia

WHAT IS IT?

Giardia lamblia is a protist.

Visual appearance of Giardia lamblia on microscopy (source)
Visual appearance of Giardia lamblia trophozoite on microscopy. Note the “owl’s eye” appearance seen on the protist due to their double nuclei (source)
TRANSMISSION

Fecal-oral route: Contaminated water is the means of transmission for this protist. Ingestion of cysts in this water will inoculate the patient with this organism.

CONDITIONS CAUSED

Giardiasis

TREATMENT

Metronidazole is the preferred anti-protozoal medication used to treat infection with this organism.

OTHER HY FACTS
Page Updated: 06.25.2016