Prevalence of giradia lambila infection in patients with chronic diarrohea

ABSTRACT

To determine the prevalence of giardiasis among adults and children presenting with malabsorption, weight loss and chronic diarrhea. It was a retrospective study. This study was carried out at Ghurki Trust Hospital Lahore from October 2005 to April 2006. The patients included were those who had history of malabsorption, prolonged diarrhea and weight loss. Duodenal biopsies were taken from these patients and processed by routine histological and histopathological diagnoses were made. A total 148 cases were studied among which 36 biopsies revealed Giardia [24.3%]. 26 biopsies were from children in which 21 showed Giardia [80 7%] and 122 biopsies were from adults among which 15 showed Giardia [12.2%]. Out of these 118 biopsies were from males in which 26 revealed Giardia and 30 biopsies were from females among which 10 revealed Giardia [33.3%]. From this study it is concluded that age and sex are contributory factors in prevalence of giardiasis The study could be of value for health care workers and health policy strategies