Giardiasis (Giardia lamblia)

2011 Case Definition

CSTE Position Statement Number: 10-ID-17

Clinical description

An illness caused by the protozoan Giardia lamblia (aka G. intestinalis or G. duodenalis) and characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, weight loss, or malabsorption.

Laboratory criteria for diagnosis

Laboratory-confirmed giardiasis shall be defined as the detection of Giardia organisms, antigen, or DNA in stool, intestinal fluid, tissue samples, biopsy specimens or other biological sample.

Case classification

Confirmed: a case that meets the clinical description and the criteria for laboratory confirmation as described above. When available, molecular characterization (e.g., assemblage designation) should be reported.

Probable: a case that meets the clinical description and that is epidemiologically linked to a confirmed case.

For this disease/condition, Confirmed and Probable case statuses are included in the released case count.

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