GIARDIA LAMBLIA

Giardia lamblia also called G. Intestinalis, single-celled zooflagellate protozoan parasite of the order Diplomonadida. Pear- or beet-shaped, the cells have two nuclei and eight flagella. This species attaches to human intestinal mucosa with a sucking organ; it may cause the disease giardiasis. In children, who are more apt to be infected than adults, diarrhea, pain, and distension of the stomach may occur. The infection can result in intestinal malabsorption and intestinal ulceration.