Six 18-year-old women return from a recent Canadian camping trip with abdominal cramping, gas, pain, and diarrhea that is pale, greasy, and malodorous. They drank untreated stream water on the last 2 days of the trip after losing their water filter. What is the most likely causative agent?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pale, greasy, malodorous stools with malabsorption after drinking untreated stream or lake water strongly suggests a Giardia lamblia infection. The organisms can be detected most reliably by a fecal antigen test because they attach to the intestinal mucosa.

Six 18-Year-Old Women Return from a Recent Canadian Camping Trip