Giardiasis and Its Links to Flatulence in Children
Author Information
Author(s): Marianne Lebbad, Ingvor Petersson, Lillemor Karlsson, Silvia Botero-Kleiven, Jan O. Andersson, Bo Svenungsson, Staffan G. Svärd
Primary Institution: Swedish Institute for Communicable Disease Control
Hypothesis
What is the relationship between different Giardia assemblages and clinical symptoms in children?
Conclusion
Certain assemblage A subtypes are potentially zoonotic, and flatulence is associated with assemblage B infections in young children.
Supporting Evidence
- 73 patients were infected with assemblage A, 128 with assemblage B, and six with mixed assemblages A+B.
- Flatulence was significantly more common in children less than six years of age infected with assemblage B.
- Evidence of limited zoonotic transmission of Giardia was found in a few domestic human infections.
Takeaway
This study looked at a germ called Giardia that can make people sick. It found that some types of this germ can come from animals and that kids with one type of it often have tummy troubles like gas.
Methodology
Multilocus sequence-based genotyping of 207 human Giardia isolates using three gene loci: ß-giardin, glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), and triose phosphate isomerase (tpi).
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on self-reported symptoms and travel history.
Limitations
The study's resolution for assemblage A was limited, as only a few MLGs were identified.
Participant Demographics
Ages ranged from 0 to 76 years, with 109 females and 105 males.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0022
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website