Giardiasis: clinical and therapeutic aspects.
Malabsorption was present in 29 of 40 symptomatic patients with giardiasis. Twenty-three had impaired D-xylose absorption; in 20 vitamin B12 absorption was low, and 15 patients had steatorrhoea. More severe malabsorption was associated with more marked histological abnormalities. Metronidazole, 2-0 g as a single daily dose on three successive days, produced a parasitological cure rate of 91%. In contrast, the standard course of mepacrine, 100 mg thrice daily for 10 days, eradicated the parasite in only 63% of patients. Improvements in absorption and jejunal morphology followed anti-giardial treatment. Tetracycline in eight patients failed to eradicate the parasite, intestinal absorption was unaltered, and histological appearances of the jejunal mucosa often deteriorated.
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007583:Jejunum / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011796:Quinacrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014195:Travel; D006113:United Kingdom; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000378:metabolism; D014994:Xylose / Q000378:metabolism
D008795:Metronidazole; D014994:Xylose; D013752:Tetracycline; D011796:Quinacrine; D014805:Vitamin B 12