Review

A review of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) of parasitic origin: The case of giardiasis

Okwute Loretta Ojonoma

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria. E-mail: lolookwute@yahoo.com.

Accepted 24 October, 2008

Giardiasis is an acute form of gastroenteritis caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia. An increase in the incidence and frequency of the disease in the last few years in the developed world has brought to the fore a now recognized mode of transmission – sexual contact. This in turn has led to giardiasis being classified as a sexually transmitted disease by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States. This review identifies its occurrence mainly in homosexual populations of the developed world especially in the United States and the possible spread of the disease through the family setting and even heterosexual relationships.

Key words: Giardiasis, STDs, parasitic.