400 Giardia rarely poses diagnostic difficulties when either the cyst or trophozoite stage is found.
Mature cysts have four nuclei while the immature have two.
Note the varying degree of clarity shown in these figures. It is possible to identify 2 nuclei, axonemes, and the median bodies in these wet mounts. Giardia can either be dark or clear as shown in these figures. Giardia trophozoites can also be visible in unstained preparations. The flagella are not visible in this figure.