Table 1 Demographic characteristics and clinical manifestations of patients with autochthonous (n = 131) and travel-associated (n = 142)Giardia infections, Germany, 2007-2008
From: Characteristics and risk factors for symptomatic Giardia lamblia infections in Germany
| Â | Autochthonous infections | Travel-associated infections | Â |
|---|---|---|---|
| Â | n (%)* | n (%)* | p-value |
Male sex | 85 (64.9) | 68 (48.2) | 0.007 |
Foreign travel last year | 49 (37.4) | 91 (64.1) | 0.001 |
   Low risk travel destinations only | 37 (28.2) | 30 (21.1) | 0.205 |
   High risk travel destinations | 12 (9.16) | 61 (43.0) | 0.001 |
Median age (range), years | 41 (0-92) | 35 (1-81) | 0.046 w |
Working (age 17-65 years) | 59 (72.8) | 83 (78.3) | 0.394 |
Born in foreign countries | 17 (14.5) | 14 (11.7) | 0.566 |
Residency | Â | Â | 0.571w |
   < 5,000 inhabitants | 11 (9.0) | 15 (11.0) |  |
   5,000-20,000 inhabitants | 17 (13.9) | 21 (15.4) |  |
   > 20,000-100,000 inhabitants | 29 (23.8) | 31 (22.8) |  |
   > 100,000 inhabitants | 68 (54.4) | 69 (50.7) |  |
Clinical manifestations | Â | Â | Â |
   Diarrhoea | 109 (83.2) | 122 (85.9) | 0.615 |
   Bloating | 94 (71.8) | 103 (72.5) | 0.893 |
   Cramps | 81 (61.8) | 93 (65.5) | 0.614 |
   Loss of appetite | 67 (51.2) | 79 (55.6) | 0.469 |
   Nausea | 65 (49.6) | 69 (48.6) | 0.904 |
   Irregular stools | 47 (38.2) | 72 (54.1) | 0.012 |
   Fever | 40 (32.5) | 32 (24.2) | 0.165 |
   Vomiting | 39 (29.8) | 36 (25.3) | 0.420 |
Hospitalization and workdays missed | Â | Â | Â |
   Hospitalization required | 18 (15.1) | 5 (3.7) | 0.002 |
   Sick-leave required | 34 (37.0) | 38 (35.5) | 0.883 |
Laboratory Methods | Â | Â | Â |
   Microscopy | 51 (38.9) | 73 (51.4) | 0.040 |
   Antigen test (ELISA, IFT) | 96 (73.3) | 89 (62.7) | 0.070 |
Reason for laboratory examination | Â | Â | Â |
   Symptoms | 124 (94.7) | 132 (92.7) | 0.623 |
   Contact positive | 1 (0.8) | 5 (3.5) | 0.216 |
   Asylum seeker screening | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |  |
   Other diseases | 4 (3.1) | 5 (3.5) | 1.000 |
Host factors | Â | Â | Â |
   Impaired Immunity | 15 (11.8) | 2 (1.5) | 0.001 |
   On antacid therapy | 18 (14.0) | 10 (7.5) | 0.110 |
   Vegetarian | 5 (4.2) | 5 (3.8) | 1.000 |
Contact with persons (for adult cases only) | Â | Â | Â |
   Changing diapers for children | 15 (13.8) | 11 (9.1) | 0.301 |
   persons | 4 (3.6) | 5 (4.1) | 1.000 |
Children in household | Â | Â | Â |
   Children 0-2 years | 20 (15.3) | 10 (7.1) | 0.034 |
   Children 3-6 years | 27 (20.6) | 23 (16.2) | 0.353 |
   Children 7-19 years | 40 (30.5) | 39 (27.5) | 0.595 |
Animal contacts | Â | Â | Â |
   Living on a farm | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |  |
   Owning pets | 42 (35.0) | 31 (23.0) | 0.038 |