Giardia

''Giardia'' ( or ) is a genus of anaerobic flagellated protozoan parasites of the phylum Metamonada that colonise and reproduce in the small intestines of several vertebrates, causing the disease giardiasis. Their life cycle alternates between a swimming trophozoite and an infective, resistant cyst. ''Giardia'' were first described by the Dutch microscopist Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in 1681. The genus is named after French zoologist Alfred Mathieu Giard.

Characteristics

Like other diplomonads, ''Giardia'' have two nuclei, each with four associated flagella, and were thought to lack both mitochondria and Golgi apparatuses. However, they are now known to possess a complex endomembrane system as well as mitochondrial remnants, called mitosomes, through mitochondrial reduction.

The mitosomes are not used in ATP synthesis the way mitochondria are, but are involved in the maturation of iron-sulfur proteins. The synapomorphies of genus ''Giardia'' include cells with duplicate organelles, absence of cytostomes, and ventral adhesive disc.

Systematics

About 40 species have been described from different animals, but many of them are probably synonyms. Currently, five to six morphologically distinct species are recognised. ''Giardia lamblia'' (=''G. intestinalis'', =''G. duodenalis'') infect humans and other mammals, ''G. muris'' is found from other mammals, ''G. ardeae'' and ''G. psittaci'' from birds, ''G. agilis'' from amphibians and ''G. microti'' from voles. Other described (but not certainly valid), species include:

*''Giardia ardeae''
*'' Giardia beckeri''
*'' Giardia beltrani''
*'' Giardia botauri''
*'' Giardia bovis''
*'' Giardia bradypi''
*'' Giardia canis''
*'' Giardia caprae''
*'' Giardia cati''
*''Giardia caviae''
*'' Giardia chinchillae''
*''Giardia dasi''
*'' Giardia equii''
*'' Giardia floridae''
*'' Giardia hegneri''
*''Giardia herodiadis''
*''Giardia hyderabadensis''
*'' Giardia irarae''
*'' Giardia marginalis''
*'' Giardia melospizae''
*'' Giardia nycticori''
*'' Giardia ondatrae''
*'' Giardia otomyis''
*'' Giardia pitymysi''
*'' Giardia pseudoardeae''
*''Giardia psittaci''
*'' Giardia recurvirostrae''
*'' Giardia sanguinis''
*''Giardia serpentis''
*'' Giardia simoni''
*'' Giardia sturnellae''
*'' Giardia suricatae''
*'' Giardia tucani''
*''Giardia varani ''
*'' Giardia viscaciae''
*'' Giardia wenyoni''

Many different species of ''Giardia'' exist, so to differentiate between species, very specific PCR (Polymerase Chain Reactions) have been developed to detect specific ''Giardia'' spp. Gene probe-based detection is also used to differentiate between species of ''Giardia''. A more common and less time-consuming means of identifying different species of ''Giardia'' includes microscopy and immunofluorescence techniques.

Genetic and biochemical studies have revealed the heterogeneity of ''Giardia lamblia'', which contains probably at least eight lineages or cryptic species.

Genome

A ''Giardia'' isolate (WB) was the first diplomonad to have its genome sequenced. Its 11.7 million basepair genome is compact in structure and content with simplified basic cellular machineries and metabolism. Currently the genomes of several other ''Giardia'' isolates and diplomonads (the fish pathogens ''Spironucleus vortens'' and ''S. salmonicida'') are being sequenced.

A second isolate (the B assemblage) from humans has been sequenced along with a species from a pig (the E assemblage). There are ~5000 genes in the genome. The E assemblage is more closely related to the A assemblage than is the B. A number of chromosomal rearrangements are present.

Infection

''Giardia'' lives in the intestines of infected humans or other animals, individuals of which become infected by ingesting or coming into contact with contaminated foods, soil, or water tainted by the feces of an infected carrier.

The symptoms of ''Giardia'', which may begin to appear 2 days after infection, can include mild to violent diarrhoea, excess gas, stomach or abdominal cramps, upset stomach, and nausea. Resulting dehydration and nutritional loss may need immediate treatment. A typical infection can be slight, resolve without treatment, and last between 2–6 weeks, although it can sometimes last longer and/or be more severe. Coexistence with the parasite is possible (symptoms fade), but an infected individual can remain a carrier and transmit it to others. Medication containing tinidazole or metronidazole decreases symptoms and time to resolution. Albendazole is also used, and has an anthelmintic (anti-worm) property as well, ideal for certain compounded issues when a general vermicidal agent is preferred.
''Giardia'' causes a disease called giardiasis, which causes the villi of the small intestine to atrophy and flatten, resulting in malabsorption in the intestine. Lactose intolerance can persist after the eradication of ''Giardia'' from the digestive tract.

Prevalence

As of 2008 cysts are commonly detected in surface water in Russia. Water treatment plants in Moscow are occasionally contaminated with the parasites and in many cities in Russia – including Saint Petersburg – the reputation of municipal water is so bad that residents preemptively boil drinking water.

See also

*List of parasites (human)

References

External links

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{{Taxonbar, from=Q1469628

Metamonads
Excavata genera
1681 in science

pt:Giárdia