A Case of Colitis by Giardia lamblia Infection with Atypical Presentation.
10.3904/kjm.2015.89.3.312
- Author:
Soo Kyoung CHOI
1
;
Youn Hee LEE
;
Jinhee LEE
;
Seon Ho PARK
;
Mi Hee KIM
;
Ok Ran SHIN
;
Young Seok CHO
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. yscho@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Giardia lamblia;
Colitis;
Trophozoites;
Metronidazole
- MeSH:
Asymptomatic Infections;
Atrophy;
Biopsy;
Cecum;
Colitis*;
Colon, Ascending;
Colonoscopy;
Diagnosis, Differential;
Diarrhea;
Edema;
Erythema;
Exudates and Transudates;
Female;
Giardia lamblia*;
Giardia*;
Giardiasis;
Humans;
Intestine, Small;
Japan;
Korea;
Metronidazole;
Middle Aged;
Trophozoites
- From:Korean Journal of Medicine
2015;89(3):312-316
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Giardia lamblia infection, giardiasis, is the leading waterborne diarrhea-causing disease. It is common in most countries of the world, including South Korea and Japan. Giardia lamblia can cause asymptomatic infection but also acute abdominal discomfort with diarrhea. In addition, it may lead to chronic diarrhea associated with villous atrophy and impaired epithelial barrier in the small intestine. In the present case, a 45-year-old woman presented with lower abdominal discomfort in the absence of diarrhea. Colonoscopy showed diffuse mucosal edema, erythema, and erosions with exudate in the cecum and ascending colon. Colonoscopic biopsy and stool examination revealed trophozoites of Giardia lamblia. Colitis resolved after metronidazole therapy. Our case suggests that giardiasis should be included in the differential diagnosis of colitis, even if the patient does not present with diarrhea.
