Giardiasis in Colombia: a Review of the Current Knowledge

• Published in: Current tropical medicine reports 2018-09, Vol.5 (3), p.154-161
• Main Authors: García-Montoya, Gisela María, Botero-Garces, Jorge Humberto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Behavioral Sciences; Infectious Diseases; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Parasitology; Section Editor; Topical Collection on Tropical Diseases in Colombia; Tropical Diseases in Colombia (A Restrepo; Tropical Medicine
• ISSN: 2196-3045; 2196-3045
• DOI: 10.1007/s40475-018-0152-8

Purpose of Review Giardiasis is a major human intestinal disease worldwide and the most common cause of diarrhea in developing countries especially among children. In chronic infection, it may result in harmful effect on cognition, intelligence, and psychomotor development in children. This article aims to review the current prevalence of human giardiasis in Colombia, using data published in scientific literature available until January 2018. Recent Findings According to the last Colombian National Survey of Intestinal Parasites in 2015 conducted in school children, giardiasis continues to be a public health problem, with a prevalence of 15.4% similar to that reported in the population-based survey performed in 1980 (18.4%). Summary Several protozoa and helminthes affect the health in patients from Colombia, but giardiasis is a serious problem, especially in children, for whom consumption of non-drinkable water is the principal risk factor for getting giardia cysts. This review presents information about the prevalence of giardiasis in Colombian people, the techniques used for diagnosis including genotyping, and some reports about animals, water, and soil as a source of infection.