Craig M. Wilson, MD, 2016. "Giardiasis (Chapter 258)", American Academy of Pediatrics Textbook of Pediatric Care, Thomas K. McInerny, MD, FAAP, Henry M. Adam, MD, FAAP, Deborah E. Campbell, MD, FAAP, Thomas G. DeWitt, MD, FAAP, Jane Meschan Foy, MD, FAAP, Deepak M. Kamat, MD, PhD, FAAP, Rebecca Baum, MD, FAAP, Kelly J. Kelleher, MD, MPH, FAAP
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A Giardia-like organism associated with gastrointestinal symptoms was described by Dutch microscopist Anton van Leeuwenhoek in 1681,1 but only in the past few decades has the true pathogenicity of this flagellate protozoan been recognized. Giardia intestinalis (also known as Giardia lamblia and Giardia duodenalis) is one of the most common intestinal parasites in the United States.2
A large sucking disk, which the parasite uses to attach to the intestinal mucosa, occupies most of the flat ventral surface. Attachment is regulated by contractile proteins, including actin and myosin, which alter the structure of the disk.3 The...
