Giardia intestinalis infestation in Rabat childern hospital

ABSTRACT

Giardiasis is a cosmopolitas intestinal parasitosis caused by Giardia intestinalis that causes diarrhea in children. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of this disease in hospitalised children in the Children Hospital of Rabat. 11.419 parasitological faecal exams were realized from January 1997 to December 2002 on children presenting digestive symptoms. The mean age was 5 year-old. 2.604-children were infested by parasites [23%], and 855 of them [32,8%] by Giardia intestinalis. This parasite was found alone in 77.6% of cases, or in association with other potentially pathogenic parasites as Entamoeba histolytica [5,5%], Ascaris and Enterobius vermicularis [0,6%], or a non pathogenic rhizoflagella. One third of the infested children had Giardia intestinalis, and seasonal variation of giardiasis was observed