Giardiasis

Giardia is a leading but treatable cause of infectious gastroenteritis worldwide, with a reported prevalence of 2-7% in high income countries and 2-30% in low income countries. 1 Giardiasis is included in the World Health Organization Neglected Diseases Initiative owing to its burden and association with poverty. 2 Its incidence in the United Kingdom is underestimated because of the lack of diagnostic sensitivity of traditional faecal microscopy 3 and the mistaken belief that it is mostly acquired abroad, so often only people reporting foreign travel are tested. This update discusses the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of giardiasis specifically in high income countries.