Investigations on the prevalence, immunodiagnosis and experimental model of giardiasis
Wang, Z.Y.; Lu, S.Q.; Zhang, Y.Q.; Song, J.L.; Wen, Y.; Gui, S.H.
Chinese Medical Journal 99(12): 961-968
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0366-6999 PMID: 3105975 Document Number: 274237
A total of 3,121 subjects of various ages were examined for Giardia lamblia by fecal examination in suburban or rural districts of different municipalities and provinces of China. The average prevalence was 1.2 .+-. 0.3% for adults and 6.1 .+-. 0.6% for children. In children, giardiasis often caused serious consequences as malnutritional edema, hepatomegaly, and retardation of physical and/or mental development. ELISA serum test to detect anti-giardia anti-body and fecal counter-immunoelectrophoresis for giardia antigen were found useful in diagnosing giardiasis and a supplement to fecal examination. Experimental studies demonstrated that clawed jird, Meriones unguiculatus was a satisfactory experimental model for giardiasis.