Pathogen Safety Data Sheets: Infectious Substances – Giardia lamblia (2024)

PATHOGEN SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Giardia lamblia

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Giardia intestinalis, Giardia duodenalis ^{Footnote 1}, Giardiasis ^{Footnote 1Footnote 2}, Giardia enteritis, Lambliasis, lamblia intestinalis, beaver fever.

CHARACTERISTICS: G. lamblia is a flagellated enteric protozoan parasite ^{Footnote 1}. There are two stages in the lifecycle, a motile vegetative form (trophozoite) which reside in the small intestine and is responsible for disease manifestations and an infective resistant form (cyst) responsible for transmission. Cysts are oval-shaped thin-walled cyst that is 10 to 20 μm in length, 7-10 μm in width and 0.3-0.5 μm thickness ^{Footnote 1Footnote 2}. Trophozoites resemble a pear or teardrop and measure 9-21 μm in length, 5-15 μm in width and 1-2 μm thickness ^{Footnote 3}. The trophozoite is an aerotolerant anaerobe that requires glucose as a source of carbohydrate energy and divides by longitudinal binary fission every 9 to 12 hours ^{Footnote 1}. The trophozoite has two anteriorly placed nuclei and also has four pairs of posteriorly directed flagella that aid in locomotion and attachment to intestinal epithelium ^{Footnote 1}.

SECTION II - HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

PATHOGENICITY/TOXICITY: The majority of infections are asymptomatic. In symptomatic individuals, patients may experience nausea, chills, low grade fever, epigastric pain and sudden onset of watery diarrhea ^{Footnote 4}. Diarrhea is often explosive and presents a foul smell without the presence of blood, gas, bloating, mucus, or cellular exudate ^{Footnote 4}. Most infections resolve spontaneously within six weeks ^{Footnote 5}. Chronic infections can occur and diarrhea leads to dehydration, malabsorption, weight lost and impaired pancreatic function ^{Footnote 4}. Chronic infections can last from months to years ^{Footnote 6}. G. lamblia are usually found in the upper small intestine, but can be found in the gall bladder and in biliary drainage ^{Footnote 3}.

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Giardia infections occur worldwide ^{Footnote 2}, affecting persons of all ages with a peak during the late summer and fall months ^{Footnote 1}. The prevalence rate in temperate climates is 2-10% in adults and 25% in children whereas in tropical countries 50-80% of people are carriers ^{Footnote 2}. G. lamblia is the most commonly identified intestinal parasite in the US as well as in Canada ^{Footnote 7Footnote 8}. CDC reports approximately 20,000 cases per year in US. According to one report from Ontario, Canada showed an incidence rate of 25.8 cases per 100,000 population between 1990 and 1998 ^{Footnote 8}. In developed countries, infection occurs most frequently among children in day care centers, hikers, among members of the same family, between male hom*osexual partners and immunocompromised individuals ^{Footnote 4Footnote 9-Footnote 13}. Drinking untreated water is a common source of infection and can result in community wide epidemics ^{Footnote 1Footnote 14}.

HOST RANGE: Humans and mammals (e.g. primates, dogs, cats, cattle, sheep, pigs, rodents, beavers, and bears) ^{Footnote 2Footnote 15}.

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Human volunteers have been experimentally infected with as few as 10 cysts ^{Footnote 4Footnote 16}.

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: The infectious cysts of G. lamblia are excreted in large numbers in feces of infected persons, and they contaminate hands, drinking water, swimming pool ^{Footnote 17}, and food ^{Footnote 2}. They can be transmitted by the fecal-oral route, or contaminated food and water ^{Footnote 4}. Sexual behaviours that aid in transmission of G. lamblia include oral-anal, genital-anal, and digital anal contact ^{Footnote 5}. Contaminated soil and fomites can also contain infective cysts ^{Footnote 6Footnote 18}.

INCUBATION PERIOD: 7 to 14 days ^{Footnote 7Footnote 8}; however, the time from ingestion of the cysts to detection of the cysts may be longer than the incubation period, which can result in the stool sample being negative at the time of the onset of symptoms ^{Footnote 8}.

COMMUNICABILITY: Can be transmitted from person-to-person, especially persons with poor fecal-oral hygiene, causing epidemics ^{Footnote 1Footnote 14}.

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Humans (principal reservoir), dogs, cats, beavers, and other animals ^{Footnote 14}.

ZOONOSIS: Yes, transmitted to humans from a variety of mammals ^{Footnote 2}.

VECTORS: Flies are possible mechanical vectors ^{Footnote 2}.

SECTION IV - STABILITY AND VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Susceptible to metronidazole, tinidazole, nitazoxanide, quinacrine, furazolidone, paramomycin, and albendazole ^{Footnote 1Footnote 19}.

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Cysts are relatively resistant to chlorination ^{Footnote 1} but Giardia cysts in water can be inactivated with 4 mg/L of chlorine after 60 min at 5°C, at pH levels 6, 7 and 8 ^{Footnote 20}. A chlorine concentration of 8 mg/L will inactivate Giardia cysts at pH 6 and 7 after contact for 10 min, and at pH 8 after 30 min. Also, at 25°C, Giardia cysts will be killed when exposed to 1.5 mg/L of chlorine for 10 min at pH 6 ^{Footnote 20}. 6% H₂O₂ can be used as a surface disinfectant or in disinfection of spills.

PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Giardia is inactivated by exposure to UV light (10 JM^-2) ^{Footnote 21}. Cysts are relatively resistant to ozonolysis ^{Footnote 1}. Cysts are susceptible to boiling and freezing ^{Footnote 5}.

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Cysts can survive in cold water for several weeks to months ^{Footnote 1Footnote 2}. At 4۫ ºC Giardia lamblia cysts can survive 11 weeks in water, seven weeks in soil, and one week in cattle feces ^{Footnote 18}. They remain infective for a significantly shorter period at warmer temperatures - i.e. 25 ºC ^{Footnote 18}. Trophozoites do not survive in the environment ^{Footnote 6}.

SECTION V – FIRST AID / MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms. Since the incubation time may be shorter than the period required for detection of the cysts in the stool, giardiasis should not be elimnated as a diagnostic possibility if a single stool specimen is negative at the onset of symptoms. Since Giardia is excreted intermittently, in 50% to 70% of cases, Giardia will be detected from a single stool specimen and in 90% of cases after three specimens ^{Footnote 22}. In general, the initial diagnosis is made by identification of trophozoites or cysts in stool specimens, duodenal fluid, or small bowel tissue by direct microscopic examination ^{Footnote 22}. Other techniques such as detecting soluble stool antigens using enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or polymerase chain reaction technique are also used ^{Footnote 1Footnote 2Footnote 14}.

Note: All diagnostic methods are not necessarily available in all countries.

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities should be treated symptomatically^{Footnote 14}. In immunocompetent hosts, infection is self-limited; drug therapy can shorten the duration of symptoms and prevent transmission^{Footnote 4}. Metronidazole, tinidazole, and nitazoxanide are indicated for first line treatment^{Footnote 23}.

IMMUNISATION: None.

PROPHYLAXIS: None.

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: Four cases of laboratory-acquired infections have been reported ^{Footnote 24}. One case of giardiasis was reported in a clinical laboratory technologist who processed specimens, many of which were in leaky containers ^{Footnote 24-Footnote 26}. The parasite was detected in the person's stool ^{Footnote 26} and transmission was thought to be airborne ^{Footnote 25}.

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Feces, other body fluids and tissues ^{Footnote 1Footnote 14Footnote 27}.

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Ingestion and possible aerosol ^{Footnote 25-Footnote 27}.

SPECIAL HAZARDS: None.

SECTION VII – EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION

RISK GROUP CLASSIFICATION: Risk Group 2.

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Containment Level 2 facilities, equipment, and operational practices for work involving infectious or potentially infectious materials and animals ^{Footnote 28}.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Lab coat. Gloves when direct skin contact with infected materials or animals is unavoidable Eye protection must be used where there is a known or potential risk of exposure to splashes. ^{Footnote 26Footnote 28}.

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: All procedures that may produce aerosols, or involve high concentrations or large volumes should be conducted in a biological safety cabinet (BSC). The use of needles, syringes, and other sharp objects should be strictly limited. Additional precautions should be considered with work involving animals or large scale activities.

SECTION VIII – HANDLING AND STORAGE

SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle, and, wearing protective clothing, gently cover the spill with paper towels and apply an appropriate disinfectant, starting at the perimeter, and working towards the centre. Allow sufficient contact time before clean up and then repeat ^{Footnote 28Footnote 29}.

DISPOSAL: Decontaminate all wastes that contain or have come in contact with the infectious organism before disposing by autoclave, chemical disinfection, gamma irradiation, or incineration. ^{Footnote 28}.

STORAGE: The infectious agent should be stored in leak-proof containers that are appropriately labelled.^{Footnote 28}.

SECTION IX - REGULATORY AND OTHER INFORMATION

UPDATED: December 2011

PREPARED BY: Pathogen Regulation Directorate, Public Health Agency of Canada

Although the information, opinions and recommendations contained in this Pathogen Safety Data Sheet are compiled from sources believed to be reliable, we accept no responsibility for the accuracy, sufficiency, or reliability or for any loss or injury resulting from the use of the information. Newly discovered hazards are frequent and this information may not be completely up to date.

Copyright ©
Public Health Agency of Canada, 2011
Canada