Clinical Features

Asymptomatic: Trophozoites feed on mucus making some individuals asymptomatic carriers. 

Symptomatic: Trophozoite causes hyperaemia and Duodenitis leading to symptoms such as epigastric pain, digestive disturbances, steatorrhoea (fatty diarrhoea- stool is light-coloured and greasy and flatulence (Morris, 2024).

Patients with impaired immunity due to factors such as hypogammaglobulinemia, diminished secretory IgA, and achlorhydria are more likely to experience severe symptoms including persistent diarrhoea, steatorrhoea, malabsorption, anemia, hypoproteinemia (low protein level in blood, fat-soluble vitamin deficiency,jaundice and biliary colic.  (Morris, 2024)