Giardiasis-associated arthralgia in children.

BACKGROUND

Giardiasis is the most common intestinal parasitosis in Mexico. Usual symptoms of the acute infection are diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and weight loss. Children are more frequently affected than adults. Various extra-intestinal manifestations have been reported, among which are arthritis and arthralgia.

METHODS

A series of 10 children with arthralgia and cysts of Giardia lamblia in feces seen during 13 years of private practice were presented. Ages ranged between 5 and 11 years, and 70% of the children are males.

RESULTS

The joints involved in all cases were the knee and the ankle. No joint flogosis or changes in local temperature were observed. Other associated symptoms were abdominal pain (100%), abdominal distension (70%), flatulence (50%), less consistent stools (50%), anemia (30%), and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (60%). C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor were negative in all cases. Arthralgia disappeared after treatment with metronidazole when coproparasitoscopic analyses were negative.

CONCLUSIONS

Arthralgia associated with giardiasis in children is a rare entity, relatively benign, and leaves no sequelae.