GIARDIA ANTIGEN, STOOL (O.S.)

Overview

Giardia infects the small intestine by attaching to the mucosa with a ventral sucking disc. Infection may be associated with a variety of outcomes ranging from asymptomatic disease (estimated to occur in 50% of infected individuals) to acute and chronic giardiasis. Symptoms generally appear 7 to 14 days after infection and consist of watery diarrhea, malaise, malodorous steatorrhea, flatulence, abdominal cramping, nausea or vomiting, weight loss, and low-grade fever. Longstanding malabsorption may result in vitamin deficiencies and hypoalbuminemia. Acquired lactose intolerance may also occur and may persist for months after successful parasite eradication, potentially leading to prolonged digestive issues.