Giardia (lamblia), total antibodies

Why this test? 

To detect acute and chronic forms of giardiasis. 

To detect parasites. 

For differential diagnosis (along with other tests) in diseases with similar symptoms, such as bacterial or viral diarrhea, inflammatory bowel diseases, malabsorption, some endocrine disorders, stress.

In what cases is it prescribed? 

With diarrhea of unknown origin. 

In chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. 

In intestinal dysbacteriosis. 

With hypotrophy, lag in physical development. 

For skin diseases: dermatitis, urticaria, eczema, neurodermatitis.

In immunodeficiency states. 

With obstructive bronchitis and bronchial asthma. 

With allergies of unknown etiology. 

When examining persons who have been in contact with a giardiasis patient or a parasite carrier.

Test information 

Giardia lamblia are protozoa that parasitize in the small intestine and sometimes in the gallbladder and cause giardiasis. They can exist in a vegetative form (trophozoites) and in the form of cysts. When the cysts enter the body, they release trophozoites capable of reproduction and colonization of the small intestine. Under certain conditions, part of the trophozoites form cysts again, which are released with feces into the external environment. 

The route of infection is fecal-oral, through water or food contaminated with giardia cysts, as well as through contaminated hands and household items.

The source of infection is a person with giardiasis or an asymptomatic carrier. 

The incubation period is 3-42 days. 

With this infection, symptoms of diarrhea prevail: pain, bloating and rumbling in the abdomen, increased gas formation, frequent yellowish watery stools with an unpleasant smell, an increase in the amount of undigested fats in the feces due to impaired absorption of fats, sometimes loss of appetite and vomiting. The extra-intestinal manifestations of giardiasis include various allergic dermatoses, arthritis, and rhinitis. Giardiasis can be asymptomatic with elimination of the causative agent after 1-3 months. 

Children (especially between the ages of 1 and 4 years) are most prone to the disease. In them, the infection is particularly severe, sometimes with a deficit of body weight. 

Travelers, people with a low level of hygiene and social status, those who are in closed institutions (hospitals, nursing homes, prisons), sexually active homosexuals, patients with immunodeficiencies and malabsorption, and also representatives of some professions (workers of zoos, animal nurseries, etc.). In response to giardia, the immune system produces specific immunoglobulins (A, M, G).

The first to appear are IgM (on the 10-14th day after infection), then IgG, which are present in the blood at almost all stages of giardiasis, their level decreases 1-2 months after the death of the parasite.