Non inflammatory bowel disease caused by an infectious agent. Stool cultures revealed normal flora and were negative for Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia and Campylobacter. Microscopic examination of a stool specimen confirmed the lack of leukocytes. It was learned that the daughter had attended a day care center in which Giardiasis had been diagnosed in several children. At present the child was well and a stool examination for Giardia was negative but suspicion was raised that Giardia could have been the cause of the diarrhea.
Giardiasis is a frequent cause of diarrheal disease.
Giardia cysts can be transmitted directly by the fecal-oral route and sanitary conditions in some day care centers have facilitated spread of infection. Giardiasis can be a chronic, asymptomatic infection which becomes symptomatic under conditions that may include emotional stress. The protracted, recurrent diarrhea with foul smelling stools and flatus are typical of Giardiasis and not most bacterial or viral infections. Most of the statements could be applicable to this case. Two more stool examinations for ova and parasites were negative.