Giardia intestinalis
is an intestinal parasite widely prevalent in children attending daycare centres worldwide
and has been associated with undernutrition. Stool samples from 48 Guatemalan children (aged 1.5-7
years) attending participating daycare centres were analyzed over five weeks for presence of
Giardia intestinalis
using light microscopy, ELISA, and rapid dipstick test.
Giardia prevalence rates were 43.7% at Week 0
and 44.7% at Week 4, based on ELISA. Intensity, but not prevalence, of infection showed a trend toward
decreased weight-for-age (1-tailed p=0.08). We believe that ELISA analysis of stool samples may be further
adapted for measuring the intensity of infection in humans.
