(giardiasis), a disease of the digestive organs, caused by parasitic protozoans of the genus Lamblia (Giardia).

The source of infection is man (either a patient or a carrier). Infection occurs through the mouth, from food or water contaminated with Lamblia or from dirty hands. The morbidity is sporadic. Lambliasis occurs in all parts of the world; in the USSR, it is found most often in Transcaucasia and Middle Asia.

Lambliasis develops gradually and is characterized by disturbances in the function of the gastrointestinal tract. There are two to four bowel movements per day with an admixture of mucus. Other symptoms depend on the predominant localization of the infection (duodenitis, enteritis, enterocolitis, cholecystitis, cholangitis, hepatitis). Diagnosis depends primarily on the discovery of Lamblia in the feces and bile. Lambliasis is treated by a spare diet containing adequate quantities of animal proteins and yeasts and by furazolidone and aminoquinol. It can be prevented by sanitary and hygienic measures (decontaminating water, protecting food products from Lamblia contamination, observing measures of personal hygiene). The focus of the disease should be disinfected.