In this study, we have tried to find out the best culture medium for Giardia intestinalis trophozoites. For this purpose, we used three strains of G. intestinalis obtained from different sources and tried to cultivate them it in HSP₃, TPS1, TYI-S-33, BI-S-33, RPMI 1640, GI and Mc Coy (5A)media. We can summarize our results as below:

1.      The trophozoites obtained by the excystation of cysts of human origin were used in inoculating  the above media. According to our results the HSP₃ medium was the most appropriate culture medium.
2.      Rats were infected with the cysts of G. intestinalis of human origin; then the trophozoites obtained from these animals were used in the inoculation of 7 media which mentioned above. Again, the HSP₃ was found as the best medium for the cultivation of Giardia intestinalis trophozoites.
3.      WB and GS/M-83-H7 strains, which were adapted to in vitro cultivation again used in the inoculation  the 7 test media. In this case we have detected that trophozoites were multiplied and remained alive for a long period of time in GI and HSP₃ media.

We have tried to establishing giardiasis in laboratory animals (some of them were given cortisone) such as mice, rats, rabbits, cat and dog. These were inoculated with an average of 6x10⁶ cysts/ml via gastric lavage except the dog which was infected through its drinking water. Except rats, none of these animals were infected. The maximum number of cyst excretion was obtained on the seventh day post infection both in cortisone treated and normal rats. Interestingly, in the infected animals trophozoites were observed in ileum and pathological findings were found in the same area too.

Using ELISA test, the antigens of G. intestinalis were detected in 49 of 50 infected patients. When we compared this study group with the control group the sensitivity was detected as 98% whereas specifity was 92 %.

In the second part of our serological studies, we have screened a total of 35 patients with giardiasis for the presence of anti-G. intestinalis antibodies using IFAT. In this study we used homemade antigen prepared from cysts of this parasite. 14 of 35 patients were positive for specific IgG plus IgA; 11 patients had IgG, IgM plus IgA; 6 patients had only IgG whereas 4 patients had IgG in addition to IgM. In control group, which consisted of 15 children, 6 had IgA and 5 had IgG.