Giardia muris

Introduction

Giardia muris is a parasite that causes the disease giardiasis, Some symptoms of Giardiasis are: diarrhea, gas, greasy stool, nausea, cramps, and dehydration.

Hosts

Animals and humans

Transmission / Exposure Route

Giardia muris is spread by swallowing the Giardia cysts picked up from surfaces that contain feces of an infected person or animal. Also, drinking or swimming in contaminated water and having contact with someone who is ill with giardiasis are other ways that Giardia muris is transmitted.

Case Fatality Ratio

It infects nearly 2% of adults and 6-8% of children in developing countries worldwide. In the United States, Giardia infection is the most common intestinal parasitic disease affecting humans.

Incubation Period

2 to 6 weeks

Microbiology

Giardia muris is a protozoan parasite that has flagella that allows it to be motile. Giardia cysts are hard shells that contain the parasite itself.

Enviromental Survival

They strive in non-oxygenated environment. When in a host, it lives in the intestines.