Epidemiology of human giardiasis in Romania: A 14 years survey

Giardia spp. is the most common intestinal protozoan (causing gastrointestinal illness) and the most frequent cause of parasitic gastroenteritis in humans and animals worldwide. The aim of this study was to highlight new data in a specific area regarding clinical presentation and epidemiological prevalence over a long period of time. Patients (a total number of 54,623 patients) admitted in a tertiary center for infectious diseases serving a county for a period of 14 years were tested for infection with Giardia. Positive cases were recorded through analyzing the clinical complaints, the month of incidence and the demographic area from which the patients came from. Longitudinal trends have been evaluated. The incidence of giardiasis among the tested patients was 4.47%. A decreasing trend was observed regarding the annual incidence. Patients between the ages of 15 and 44 presented most commonly giardiasis, especially those from urban areas and women. The most common symptoms are loss of appetite (71.24%) and abdominal pain (69.07%). The highest monthly incidence was quoted in July (10.65%), August (10.49%) and June (10.20%). This epidemiological study allows a better knowledge of the infection with Giardia spp. It gives the long-term changes in demographic characteristics of the infected patients in a specific area and the monthly incidence. [Display omitted] •Giardia is an ubiquitary parasite responsible for the most frequent parasitosis in humans.•It persists because of poor hygienic conditions and high resistance of the cysts.•The infection may evolve asymptomatic or with wide clinical manifestations.•Giardiasis has long-term consequences.•It remains an important public health issue in Romania.