Giardia lamblia in peritoneal fluid.
Giardia lamblia is a flagellated protozoan that inhabits the upper portions of the small intestine; trophozoites are the usual stage seen in duodenal aspirates, biopsies of the duodenum and jejunum and, infrequently, in stools, in which cysts are more likely to be found. A unique occurrence of G lamblia cysts and trophozoites within the peritoneal fluid of a patient with a blunt abdominal trauma is reported. Cytotechnologists and pathologists should be aware that trophozoites and cysts of G lamblia may appear in peritoneal lavage fluid from patients with blunt abdominal trauma and duodenal injury, indicating a need for exploratory laparotomy.
Bloch
T
T
Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis.
Davis
T E
TE
Schwenk
G R
GR
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D005872:Giardia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000382:microbiology*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
D008795:Metronidazole