Giardiasis in Endoscopy Patients: A Comparison of Diagnostic Techniques

The results of a study comparing techniques for diagnosis ofgiardiasis during endoscopy are presented. Methods of diagnosis included examinationof duodenal biopsy impression smears, culture of both biopsies andaspirates, and examination of preserved aspirate. Giardiasis was diagnosed inthree of 80 patients; in each case the impression smear was positive. Cultures ofduodenal biopsies were positive in two patients; in the third patient a biopsy wasnot available. The preserved aspirate was positive in only one patient, while theaspirate cultures were never positive. It is proposed that during diagnosticendoscopy, routine submission of a duodenal biopsy impression smear frompatients with unexplained small bowel diarrhea or abdominal discomfort isappropriate