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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
07:22
Basophil Activation Test for Allergy Diagnosis
Published on: May 31, 2021
Chronic urticaria in a middle-aged woman
S De Breucker1, T Pepersack, E Cogan
1Department of General Internal Medicine, Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium. Sandra.De.Breucker@erasme.ulb.ac.be
Acta Clinica Belgica
|July 31, 2010
Summary
Chronic urticaria and digestive issues in a patient were linked to Giardia Lamblia infection. A sensitive ELISA test confirmed the diagnosis, leading to symptom resolution with tinidazole treatment.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Clinical Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- Chronic urticaria and gastrointestinal symptoms can indicate parasitic infections.
- Standard diagnostic methods for parasitic infections may not always be sufficient.
Observation:
- A 56-year-old female presented with chronic urticaria and digestive complaints, suspected to be parasitic.
- Initial stool ova and parasite examinations and duodenal aspiration were negative.
- Symptoms recurred after initial tinidazole treatment.
Findings:
- An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) stool test confirmed Giardia Lamblia infection.
- A second course of tinidazole resulted in complete symptom resolution.
Implications:
- The co-occurrence of urticaria and digestive symptoms warrants consideration of Giardia Lamblia.
- Highly sensitive diagnostic tools like ELISA are crucial for accurate giardiasis diagnosis.
- This case highlights the importance of considering less common presentations of parasitic infections.
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