Prevalence of Giardia lamblia in diarrheic children in Almadinah Almunawarh, KSA

Giardia lamblia is one of the most common intestinal parasites of humans. It is a flagellated, teardrop-shaped parasite which has two life forms, the trophozoite and the cyst. This study was carried out in Almadinah Almunawarh in 2011 to determine the prevalence of giardiasis in diarrheic children. Three methods were used in this study: direct microscopic examination of stool samples, formol-ethyl acetate concentration technique and rapid dipstick immunodiagnostic technique (detection of Giardia copro-antigen). Out of 889 stool specimens collected from children, giardiasis was detected in 1.9% of them. The age group 6 – 8 years had the highest rate (41.2%) and 4–6 years the lowest (29.4%). Also, males had a higher rate than females (52.9%) and (47.1%), respectively. Diagnosis of giardiasis should rely on microscopic examination of stool samples. Concentration techniques are to be done if available, together with sensitive and specific immunichromatographic tests.