Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia infection in a Rural Area of Haryana, India

An intestinal parasitic infestation is major public health problem in the world. It is estimated that 3.5 billion people are involved globally and 450 millions are suffering as a result of these infections, majority being children (WHO, 2000). The most important protozoan parasites are the Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia. Giardia lamblia (syn G. intestinalis, G.duodenalis) is one of the most common intestinal parasites in the world (WHO, 2004). Giardiasis results in different intestinal symptoms including diarrhoea, steatorrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, flatulence, pale greasy and malodorous stools, and weight loss; nausea or vomiting may also occur. Active infection leads to lactose intolerance which lasts for several months after clearance of the parasite (Ponce-Macotela et al., 2005). Entamoeba histolyticais another important parasite of the human gut which causesamoebiasis. It is the infection of human intestinal and extra-intestinal organs. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 5 Number 6 (2016) pp. 204-209 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com