Electron microscopic examination of the mucosa of the small intestine in infection due to giardia lamblia.

A rare form of Giardia lamblia infection presenting the clinical picture of nutritive allergy is described. Diagnosis was made by electron microscopic examination of biopsy material from the small intestine. The ultrastructural characteristics of Giardia lamblia as well as the relation of the parasite to the epithelial cells are discussed. It is concluded that the clinical signs are related to the mechanical destruction of the microvilli of the epithelial cells and the superficial mucoid layer (fuzzy coat).