Giardia Lamblia Infection in a Group of Students after a Visit to Leningrad in March 1970

Abstract

A group of students from Stockholm visited Leningrad for 3 days in March, 1970. 49 of 65 students fell ill with gastroenteritis some time between March 24 and April 10, which means an incubation period of 2–18 days. Giardia lamblia was demonstrated in the first stool specimen in 56% of the cases and in 53% of the second stool specimens; altogether in 72%. The incidence of symptoms was equal in patients with and without findings of G. lamblia. The possibility of G. lamblia as a causative agent has to be considered in outbreaks of gastroenteritis.