G.Lamblia – antigen determination

• The stool is delivered to the laboratory for examination within 2 hours of collection. If the delivery time exceeds 2 hours, it is necessary to use containers with a preservative for transporting the material.
• The container with feces is tightly closed with a lid, packed in a clean disposable bag and delivered to the laboratory.
• Stools should not be submitted for testing after an enema, suppository insertion, or castor oil administration. Stools for testing should not contain foreign substances, such as urine.
• In newborn babies, feces are collected from the diaper or nappy immediately after defecation.

Giardia lamblia (also known as Giardia intestinalis or Giardia duodenalis) is a single-celled microscopic parasite that can cause a disease of the human digestive tract known as giardiasis. This infection is known for its lack of visible symptoms in many cases, but it can lead to serious health problems, especially in children and immunocompromised individuals.

To determine the G. Lamblia antigen in the body and conduct an infectious panel in parasitology, laboratory methods are the most effective. Here are some of the main aspects of this study:

1. Collection of biological material: The first step in determining the G. Lamblia antigen is to collect biological material from the patient. This can be a stool sample, as this parasitic infection mainly affects the intestinal tract.
2. Microscopy: The traditional method of detecting G. Lamblia is fecal microscopy, which allows the detection of cysts or bodies of this parasite in the biological material. However, this method is not always effective, as G. Lamblia can be present in small quantities and cysts can be difficult to detect.
3. Immunodiagnostics: Modern laboratories also use immunodiagnostic methods to detect G. Lamblia antigen. These methods are based on the detection of specific antibodies that react with antigens of this parasite in the patient's blood. If the test shows the presence of such antibodies, this may indicate a current or previous infection with giardiasis.
4. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR): PCR is a biomolecular method that allows the amplification and identification of the genetic material of G. Lamblia in a biological sample. This method is very sensitive and can detect the parasite even if its quantity is small.

The infectious panel in parasitology includes not only the detection of G. Lamblia, but also other parasites that can cause infections in humans, such as intestinal nematodes, amoebas, crocodile scales, etc. This helps the doctor to accurately determine the cause of the symptoms and choose the right course of treatment.

Detection of G. Lamblia antigen and other parasitic infections is important for the prevention and treatment of giardiasis and other diseases. The results of these studies help doctors provide effective and appropriate medical care to patients and prevent further spread of the infection.