Giardiasis in Pediatric Patients: Specific Issues of Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Treatment in Current Medical Practice
Objective of the Review: To provide the Latest data on the epidemiology and specific pathophysiological features of Giardia infection. Key Points: This article describes different clinical forms of giardiasis and the diagnostic value of tests and examinations. Also, it compares the effectiveness of a number of drugs that are used to eradicate Giardia. Conclusion: In recent years, Giardia infection has been quite often observed among children and adolescents. The infection lacks clear specific clinical signs and is characterized by recurrent relapses. No standardized approaches to diagnosing this condition exist. All this makes for an extremely serious medical issue. Giardia treatment, based on the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying infestation, no longer means monotherapy with antiparasitic drugs. A combination approach should be adopted to improve treatment outcomes.