Giardia lamblia

Giardia lamblia

Parasitology

Ectoparasites

Pediculus humanus and Phthirus pubis (Lice)
Sarcoptes scabiei (Scabies)

Protozoa

Acanthamoeba
Naegleria fowleri (Primary amebic meningoencephalitis)
Toxoplasma gondii (Toxoplasmosis)
Cryptosporidium
Entamoeba histolytica (Amebiasis)
Giardia lamblia
Babesia
Plasmodium species (Malaria)
Leishmania
Trichomonas vaginalis
Trypanosoma brucei
Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease)

Worms

Diphyllobothrium latum
Echinococcus granulosus (Hydatid disease)
Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus
Angiostrongylus (Eosinophilic meningitis)
Anisakis
Ascaris lumbricoides
Enterobius vermicularis (Pinworm)
Guinea worm (Dracunculiasis)
Loa loa (Eye worm)
Onchocerca volvulus (River blindness)
Strongyloides stercoralis
Toxocara canis (Visceral larva migrans)
Trichinella spiralis
Trichuris trichiura (Whipworm)
Wuchereria bancrofti (Lymphatic filariasis)
Clonorchis sinensis
Paragonimus westermani
Schistosomes

Key Takeaways

Giardia lamblia is a protozoan parasite that causes the diarrheal disease giardiasis. It classically affects campers and hikers after contaminated water, causing symptoms like bloating, foul-smelling diarrhea, and flatulence. It is treated with antibiotics, and its prevention includes good hygiene practices and prompt treatment of water supplies that may be contaminated with Giardia.