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Giardia lamblia is a flagellated protozoan parasite that colonizes and reproduces in the small intestine, causing giardiasis. Giardia infection can occur through ingestion of dormant cysts in contaminated water, food, or by the fecal-oral route. In humans, infection is symptomatic only about 50% of the cases. Symptoms of infection include diarrhea, malaise, excessive gas, steatorrhea, epigastric pain, bloating, nausea, lack of appetite, and weight loss. People with recurring Giardia infections, particularly those with a lack of IgA, may develop chronic disease.
Giardia infection in humans is frequently misdiagnosed. Accurate diagnosis requires an antigen test or, if that is unavailable, an ova and parasite examination of stool. Given the difficult nature of diagnosis including many false negatives, some patients should be treated on the basis of empirical evidence; treating based on symptoms.
Savyon’s CoproELISA Giardia is a novel ELISA-based test for qualitative detection of Giardia antigens in fecal specimens. The test utilizes specific monoclonal antibodies directed against G. lamblia cysts providing high levels of sensitivity and specificity with both fresh and formalin/SAF preserved samples.
