Giardiasis diagnosed by biopsy of the colon and terminal ileum: unusual sites for a common pathogen

Abstract

Giardiasis is a common intestinal infection which commonly presents with nonspecific symptoms. Suspected cases are usually diagnosed by stool examination or duodenal aspirates or biopsies. The purpose of this case report is to alert physicians to the fact that the organism may be present in colonic and ileal biopsies when clinical symptoms prompt a clinician to perform colonic biopsies rather than the usual tests of stools and duodenal aspirates or biopsies.