Collaguazo-Fiallo et a. (2026)
complejos. En conclusión, la giardiasis representa un problema de salud pública vigente cuya
contención exige un enfoque integral y humanizado. Esto implica combinar la optimización de los
métodos diagnósticos de laboratorio con políticas públicas firmes de saneamiento ambiental,
educación sanitaria comunitaria, equidad socioeconómica y tratamiento farmacológico oportuno
para proteger a los sectores más vulnerables de la población.
Palabras claves: Giardiasis, diagnóstico de laboratorio, microscopia, síntomas, prevalencia,
salud pública.
Abstract
Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal parasitic infection caused by the flagellated protozoan
Giardia duodenalis. It disproportionately affects pediatric populations and communities living in
conditions of socioeconomic vulnerability. This article aims to synthesize and update the scientific
evidence available in international literature regarding the clinical and epidemiological aspects of
human giardiasis, as well as methodological innovations in its diagnosis, while incorporating a
human-centered perspective on its impact on public health and patient well-being. To achieve
this, a retrospective, cross-sectional literature review was conducted, examining primary and
secondary sources from high-impact scientific databases (PubMed, SciELO, Scopus, ProQuest,
and Redalyc) published between 2014 and 2024. Following the rigorous application of selection
criteria based on relevance, methodological quality, and thematic pertinence 66 scientific
documents were included for critical analysis. The research findings indicate that the
epidemiology of the parasite is characterized by high prevalence rates in regions with structural
deficiencies in environmental sanitation and access to potable water; these rates range from 3.9%
to over 60% in hyperendemic areas across Latin America, Africa, and Europe. Clinically, the
condition manifests in a spectrum ranging from asymptomatic carriage to acute or chronic
diarrhea, steatorrhea, recurrent abdominal pain, weight loss, and severe malabsorption
syndrome, which directly affects nutritional status and childhood growth. In terms of diagnosis,
direct microscopic examination and fecal concentration techniques remain the standard routine
procedures due to their affordability and ease of execution, despite their limited sensitivitya
consequence of the intermittent shedding of cysts. At the same time, molecular methods (such
as conventional and real-time PCR) and immunological assays (ELISA and rapid
immunochromatographic tests) offer superior performance in terms of sensitivity and specificity,
serving as essential complementary tools for epidemiological surveillance and the
characterization of complex cases. In conclusion, giardiasis remains a persistent public health
issue, the containment of which requires a comprehensive and human-centered approach. This
entails combining the optimization of laboratory diagnostic methods with robust public policies
focused on environmental sanitation, community health education, socioeconomic equity, and
timely pharmacological treatment, in order to protect the most vulnerable segments of the
population.
Keywords: Giardiasis, laboratory diagnosis, microscopy, symptoms, prevalence, public health.
Iniciativa
de
Enfermedades
1. Introducción
Desatendidas por el impacto
causado en el desarrollo socio
La Organización Mundial de la Salud
OMS) ha indicado que la giardiasis
(
económico 1,5
.
ha llegado a ser una enfermedad
endémica y cosmopolita, en países
de Asia, África y Latinoamérica se
presentan 200 millones de casos,
con más de 500.000 casos nuevos
cada año, la OMS la incluyó en la
El protozoo Giardia duodenalis
produce una infección denominada
giardiasis, puede ser una zoonosis y
las causas que favorecen la
trasmisión del parásito, son los
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