Journal of Cytology (Jan 2008)
Role of gastric brush cytology in the diagnosis of giardiasis
Abstract
Background: Giardiasis, common in developing countries, has mostly nonspecific clinical symptoms, resulting in a limited role for preliminary tests. Aims: The present study aims to highlight the utility of endoscopic brush cytology (EBC) in the diagnosis of giardiasis in clinically unsuspected cases. Materials and Methods: Endoscopic brush smears (EBS) are routinely obtained in all patients presenting with gastric symptoms. The present study is a retrospective analysis of EBS, consisting of 12 cases whose smears had revealed trophozoites of Giardia lamblia . Biopsy correlation was available in five cases. Results: The patients ranged in age from 15 to 78 years (mean age: 34.08 years) with a 1:1 sex ratio. Stool examination in all 12 cases yielded negative results for giardiasis. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was normal in all these cases. EBS from these cases revealed Giardia trophozoites, which were identified by their typical morphology. Conclusions: Endoscopic brush cytology can be used as a reliable screening tool in the diagnosis of gastro-duodenal giardiasis in clinically unsuspected cases, especially in developing countries where parasitic infections are common.
