High Prevalence of Giardia duodenalis Assemblage B Infection and Association with Underweight in Rwandan Children

Abstract

Background: Giardia duodenalis is highly endemic in East Africa but its effects on child health, particularly of submicroscopic infections, i.e., those below the threshold of microscopy, and of genetic subgroups (assemblages), are not well understood. We aimed at addressing these questions and at examining epidemiological characteristics of G. duodenalis in southern highland Rwanda. Methodology/Principal Findings: In 583 children