Epidemiology and serology of Giardia lamblia in a developing country: Bangladesh

Abstract The age-specific prevalence of Giardia lamblia was determined in two Bangladeshi villages and malnourished children in hospital in Dhaka City. Age-specific acquisition rates, the duration of infection and age-specific sero-positivity to (immunofluorescent assay) G. lamblia trophozoites were determined. Infection was acquired early ( G. lamblia within 18 months; acquisition rates did not change with age. Positive antibody titres were acquired between six months and one year and the prevalence of sero-positivity remained high in all age groups No association was found between positive antibody titres and positive stool examinations. In developing countries serum antibodies are useful epidemiologically, but are not diagnostic in the individual patient.