Giardiasis in the Adult Population of Dakshina Kannada District of South India

A 10-year study of Giardia intestinalis infections in adults was conducted in the Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka State, South India. Coproparasitological investigations were made on 10000 stool specimens collected from selected patients. The infection rate was 37.1% with a male disease rate of 91.4%. The highest incidence rate was recorded in the age group 15–26 years. A possible reason for this preponderance of giardiasis in these males, is discussed. The optimum time for transmission appeared to be during the warmer months of the year (May to October) which coincided with the greatest amount of rainfall. The most common symptoms were abdominal discomfort, flatulence, diarrhoea, weight loss and anorexia. The predominating symptoms in our series varied with socio-economic level. There appeared to be some correlation between the clinical manifestations and the immune status of the individual.