User:Barkerak7064/Giardia duodenalis

Geographical Prevalence of Giardia duodenalis
The parasite Giardia duodenalis can be found all over the world, in both developing and industrialized nations. However, it is most commonly found in tropical and temperate climates. Giardia duodenalis is common around the world because the parasite resides in bodies of water; typically rivers, lakes, and recreational swimming pools. Additionally, cases of giardiasis tend to be more frequent in developing countries, where the sanitation and overall hygiene is poorer, compared to countries that are more developed and have more advanced sanitary regulations and procedures. In developed nations, giardiasis has a prevalence of 2%-5%, and in developing nations giardiasis has a prevalence of 20%-30%. Giardiasis is the most common intestinal infection that is derived from parasites in both the United States and the United Kingdom. In the United States, it has been discovered that a majority of whom are infected by the Giardia duodenalis parasite tend to reside in more urban areas, and, patients who are infected are more likely to live in the Southern United States.

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Epidemiology

           

G. duodenalis causes an infection called giardiasis.this disease is the cause of both endemic and epidemic disease worldwide and is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and Canada. It is estimated to infect over 280 million people world every year. (4) resulting over 500,000 deaths. The most affected demographic is children 0 to 4 years of age. Globally G. duodenalis is the most commonly identified protozoal intestinal parasite. In high-income countries, there is an infection rate between 2-5%, and in low and middle-income countries there is an infection rate between 20-30%. Giardia has common seasonal patterns in the distribution of infection rates with highest peaks in the late summer to early fall.(3)

The cyst can survive for weeks to months in cold water, so can be present in contaminated wells and water systems, especially stagnant water sources, such as naturally occurring ponds, storm-water storage systems, and even clean-looking mountain streams. Cysts can also be found on surfaces, soil, food, or water that have been contaminated with feces from infected humans or animals. They may also occur in city reservoirs and persist after water treatment, as the cysts are resistant to conventional water-treatment methods, such as chlorination and ozonolysis. Zoonotic transmission is also possible, so Giardia infection is a concern for people camping in the wilderness or swimming in contaminated streams or lakes, especially the artificial lakes formed by beaver dams (hence the popular name for giardiasis, "beaver fever").[citation needed]

In addition to waterborne sources, Giardia infections are more commonly found in children than adults, this is believed to be due to fecal-oral transmission of the cysts. Depending on the geographical area, from 1-68% of children may be infected. those who work with children are also at risk of being infected, as are family members of infected individuals. 7% of children aged 1 to 3 years and 11% of infants and toddlers tested for admission to day-care centers were found to be infected. (5). Not all Giardia infections are symptomatic, and many people can unknowingly serve as carriers of the parasite. Re- infection and chronic infections of the parasite can occur. (4)