Distribution:
Giardia is a parasite that can be found on surfaces, in food, drink, and soil that has come into contact with infected human or animal feces (poop).
Habit and Habitat:
The endoparasite Giardia intestinalis, also known as the “Grand Old Man of the Intestine,” lives in the digestive tracts of vertebrates, including humans.
Comments:
1. The trophozoite’s body is half-pear-shaped, with a wide anterior end facing forward and a thin tapering end toward the back.
2. The body has a strong bilateral symmetry.
3. Axostyles define the body’s median longitudinal axis.
4. Complex loops are created by rizoplasts.
5. Two nuclei, two axostyles, and two parabasal bodies are present in ectoplasm.
6. Narrow fibrils serve as the nuclei’s anchor to the axostyle.
7. Four pairs of basal granules give rise to four pairs of flagella.
Economic Importance:
It causes the disease ‘Giardiasis'”. The infection also causes chronic enteritis, acute enterocolitis fever, anemia and allergy.
Diagram of Giardia
