Giardia lamblia is a flagellated unicellular eukaryotic microorganism that is a common cause of diarrhea in humans along with other mammals all over the world. This stool parasite is the main reason for waterborne outbreaks of diarrhea in the United States. It is also on occasion seen as a cause of foodborne diarrhea, according to the American Society for Microbiology. Giardia species have two major stages in the life cycle: (1) the trophozoite; and (2) the cyst. The trophozoite can exist freely in the human small intestine, whereas the cyst is passed into the environment. Infection of the host is initiated when the cyst is ingested with contaminated water or, less commonly, food. Infection is also possible through direct fecal-oral contact. The most common infection seen with exposure to Giardia lamblia is Giardiasis, found in the small intestine.
While some people can carry Giardia parasites without experiencing any symptoms, most people infected with this parasite will experience fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, bloating, abdominal pain, weight loss, headaches, and excessive gas. Giardiasis can be diagnosed through the testing of stool samples. Solaris Diagnostics tests stool using The Gastro Duplex Kit, which is a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array intended for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from the viral, bacterial, and parasitic targets associated with gastrointestinal (GI) infections. The test consists of primer and probe sets to target each pathogen.
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Solaris Diagnostics provides results with a turnaround time (TAT) of 24-48 hours from the time the sample is received in the laboratory. We provide fast and definitive results leading to effective treatment.
Benefits of Working with Solaris Diagnostics
Now you can provide patients with the quickest and most accurate diagnosis possible from our high-complexity, CLIA accredited laboratory. Choose Solaris Diagnostics for:
- Simple collection
- Results by 5:00 pm on the day the lab receives the specimen
- Direct access to experienced scientific staff
- Among the most personal customer service experiences in the industry
Our experts assist clinicians and health care providers in rapidly identifying the pathogens and underlying causes of disease. We know that fast and accurate diagnoses lead to better patient outcomes.
For more information call 844-550-0308 to speak with one of our staff. You may also use the form on our Contact Us page.