Giardiasis and intestinal malabsorption: Report of a case.

The possibility of giardiasis should be considered in any case in which the patient has watery diarrhea and malabsorption syndrome. Investigation should include examination of at least three separate fecal specimens for Giardia lamblis. In case of negative results, this examination should be followed by aspiration of duodenal contents to search for the trophozoites. Treatment with metronidazole in the case reported resulted in a good clinical response, with disappearance of the patient's chronic diarrhea and intestinal malabsorption.