Frequency of Giardia lamblia in certain allergic syndromes

To detect the frequency of Giardia lamblia association with certain allergic syndromes as well as the most frequent allergens involved in this association, allergologic and parasitologic investigations were carried out in 434 patients with chronic urticaria, Quincke's edema, urticaria + Quincke's edema or urticaria + bronchial asthma. The greatest frequency of Giardia lamblia (62%), detected in chronic urticaria associated with Quincke's edema, was three times higher than the maximum percentages reported in Romania for the adult population. In the patients with an allergic syndrome and Giardia, the most frequently involved allergens were the microbial ones (Colibacillus, Staphylococcus) and the food proteins (especially pork). The intensely positive skin tests to histamine in very high dilutions, constantly obtained in the association allergic syndrome + Giardia, may be almost sure indication of infestation with this parasite.