Giardia Antigen Test
Giardia Antigen Test
The Giardia Antigen test is used to diagnose giardiasis, a gastrointestinal infection caused by the parasite Giardia intestinalis (syn G. lamblia, G. duodenalis). The test explicitly examines the stool sample for the presence of antigens produced by the parasite.
Giardia lives in soil, food, and on contaminated water surfaces. Humans get infected when exposed to soil, water, or food contaminated by faecal matter from another infected human or animal.
Upon ingestion, Giardia infects the small intestine, preventing nutrient absorption and interfering with digestion. Once a person is infected with the parasite, it stays in the intestine and is constantly passed in stool
What is the Giardia Antigen test used for?
This test is useful for :
Screening people in high-incidence settings such as day-care centers and countries with poor sanitation
Mointoring the effectiveness of the treatment
Symptoms of Giardiasis
Most people with Giardia infection never develop symptoms. But they can still pass the parasite in their stool, infecting others. Symptoms usually begin 1-2 weeks after infection and marked by
Abdominal cramps
Nausea and vomiting
Gas (flatulence)
Watery, foul-smelling diarrhoea
Loss of appetite
Test preparation
You don’t need any specific preparation to undergo this test. But make sure your doctors are aware of your prescriptions, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements, as they can affect the test results
Interpretation of the Test Results
Positive results - This result indicates the presence of Giardia antigen in the stool sample, suggesting the person has giardiasis.
Negative results - Getting this result means the individual does not have giardiasis during testing. However, it does not guarantee the absence of infection because some people do not pass the Giardia parasite with every stool. And even if Giardia is present in the stool, the quantity of the parasite may not be adequate for the laboratory to find and identify them
FAQs
Are there risks associated with a Giardia Antigen test?
No risk is involved in either collecting the stool sample or conducting the test
What is the turnaround time (TAT) for this test?
On average, the results of a Giardia Antigen test are available within 3-5 days from the date of pickup of the specimen for testing. However, it could take even longer
What factors can influence the accuracy of the test results?
Certain factors, like the recent use of medications (e.g., antidiarrheal therapy or antiparasitic therapy) and the low concentration of Giardia in the stool sample, could affect the accuracy of the test results. And that’s why doctors may ask for more than one sample to confirm the diagnosis
What are the contradictions in conducting the Giardia Antigen test?
Any stool sample collected one week after the barium or laxative administration cannot be used for Giardia antigen testing as it causes false positive results, interfering with the diagnosis of the infection and, thereby, the treatment plan
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