Evaluation of different techniques used for diagnosis of Giardia lamblia in children

ABSTRACT

Twenty seven children presented to the pediatric clinic, Al-Hussein, University hospital with symptoms suggestive of chronic giardiasis were included in thisstudy. Their age ranged from 2 to 12 years. They were 12 males and 15 females. Selection of the cases was based upon the history and clinical evaluation. Investigations done for those children included simple stool analysis. stool analysis using zinc sulphate, duodenal aspiration and duodenal biopsy. Our results showed that the main presenting symptoms were recurrent abdominal pain, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss. Simple stool analysis [repeated] detected Giardia lumblia in 13 out of 27 cases [48-15%,] but after using zinc sulphate the parasite was detected in 16 cases [59.26%]. Zinc sulphate helps concentration and preservation of the parasite in the stool sample. Duodenal aspiration was the most sensitive method for diagnosis of Giardia Lamblia as it showed the parasite in 18 out of 27 cases [66.76%], Duodenal biopsy on the other hand showed the parasite in 3 cases only [11.1%] Although Giardia lamblia could not be visualized in most of auodenal biopsies yet, the pathological changes in the mucosa were very suggestive Suspected cases with negative stool results should have duodenal aspiration as it was found to be the most sensitive and the best method for diagnosis of Giardia lamblia