Giardia infection (giardiasis) is one of the most common causes of waterborne disease in the United States.

Giardia infection (giardiasis) is one of the most common causes of waterborne disease in the United States.

G. duodenalis, a single celled protozoa, is the most frequent cause of non-bacterial diarrhea in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates as many as 2.5 million cases of Giardia infection occur annually in the U.S. Symptomatic individuals may experience diarrhea, abdominal cramps, dehydration, malabsorption, loss of appetite, anemia, and weight loss 1-2 weeks following the ingestion of cysts. Typically symptoms will last 1-2 weeks and infections are self-limiting. Most individuals will be completely asymptomatic. Prevalence of giardiasis in adults has been estimated to be 4-7%. Higher prevalence rates have been reported in children.

Giardia intestinalis is a common intestinal parasite that can disrupt digestion and nutrient absorption. Detection in stool helps identify giardiasis as a potential cause of diarrhea, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and chronic gastrointestinal symptoms.

A low or undetectable level of Giardia intestinalis indicates no evidence of active giardiasis at the time of testing. This result is considered favorable and suggests that Giardia is unlikely to be contributing to current gastrointestinal symptoms.

If digestive issues are present despite a negative result, other bacterial, parasitic, inflammatory, or functional causes should be evaluated.

G. lamblia is a flagellated protozoan parasite that colonizes and reproduces in the small intestine. G. lamblia causes giardiasis. Giardiasis does not spread via the bloodstream, nor does it spread to other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Giardiasis remains in the lumen of the small intestine. Chronic infection with Giardia may abate and the patient could become asymptomatic. Asymptomatic individuals may become reservoirs for spreading the infection. Antibodies against G. lamblia may cross-react with human tissue antigens such as tubulin, actin, actinin, tropomyosin and others. The end result may be autoimmunity against those tissues.

What is Giardia lamblia?

Giardia lamblia—also known as Giardia intestinalis or Giardia duodenalis—is a microscopic protozoan parasite that infects the small intestine. It is one of the most common causes of parasitic gastrointestinal infections worldwide, affecting both children and adults.

Giardia spreads through contaminated water, food, or surfaces, and is especially common in areas with poor sanitation or in people who travel, camp, or drink untreated water.

On stool testing panels like the Vibrant Wellness Gut Zoomer, Giardia lamblia is included to detect active parasitic infections that may be causing symptoms like diarrhea, fatigue, or malabsorption.

Elevated antibody levels can be clinically significant — while the antibodies themselves don’t destroy anything, they do trigger an inflammatory response that can cause significant destruction of tissue and resulting symptoms. This response is not necessarily dependent on antibody levels. However, an equivocal result may mean you are just beginning to exhibit an immune reaction, so this is an important time to take measures to support the body in damping immune reactivity.

The wheat tested is the full kernel containing the protein constituents of wheat. This includes what may be on or in the wheat kernel. These are gluten proteins, and non-gluten proteins (non-gluten proteins A and B and Wheat Germ Agglutinins). A positive result to wheat means that your digestive system is not absorbing these proteins well, therefore your immune system starts producing antibodies to gluten or non-gluten part(s) of wheat.

The wheat tested is the full kernel containing the protein constituents of wheat. This includes what may be on or in the wheat kernel. These are gluten proteins, and non-gluten proteins (non-gluten proteins A and B and Wheat Germ Agglutinins). A positive result to wheat means that your digestive system is not absorbing these proteins well, therefore your immune system starts producing antibodies to gluten or non-gluten part(s) of wheat.

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a structural protein found in astrocytes, the support cells that help protect and maintain healthy brain and spinal cord function. When these cells become stressed, inflamed, or damaged, GFAP can be released into the bloodstream. Because of this, GFAP serves as a biomarker for central nervous system injury, inflammation, and neurodegeneration.

What does GFAP help evaluate?

GFAP is commonly measured to support evaluation of:

• Traumatic brain injury or concussion

• Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)

• Neuroinflammatory disorders (including multiple sclerosis)

• Autoimmune or infectious conditions affecting the brain

• Neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or ALS)

• Post-viral or long-COVID neurological symptoms

It is often analyzed alongside other neurological markers like neurofilament light chain (NFL) or tau to provide a clearer picture of brain cell integrity.

What does an elevated GFAP level mean?

Higher GFAP levels may indicate active astrocyte injury or inflammation. This can result from head trauma, neuroinflammation, degenerative disease processes, or other neurological stressors. Symptoms that may accompany elevated GFAP can include headaches, cognitive changes, memory difficulties, dizziness, numbness or tingling, vision or balance issues, or fatigue—depending on the underlying condition.

What does a normal GFAP mean?

Normal GFAP levels generally suggest no current detectable injury or inflammation in the central nervous system. However, normal results do not rule out all neurological conditions—clinical symptoms, medical history, and possibly imaging should still be considered.

What happens next if your GFAP is high?

If GFAP is elevated, your healthcare provider may recommend:

• Additional neurological markers (e.g., NFL, tau, inflammatory markers)

• Brain imaging studies (MRI, CT) if clinically indicated

• Neurological examination or referral to a specialist

• Monitoring levels over time

Gliotoxin is a mycotoxin (toxic substance made by mold), most commonly produced by Aspergillus fumigatus and related mold species. These molds often grow in water-damaged buildings, damp indoor spaces, soil, compost, and decaying plant matter, making gliotoxin exposure possible in homes, workplaces, and agricultural environments.

Gliotoxin belongs to a group of compounds called epipolythiodioxopiperazines (ETPs), which are known for their ability to suppress the immune system and increase oxidative stress in human cells.

Gliotoxin (GTX) is produced by the mold genus Aspergillus. Aspergillus spreads in the environment by releasing conidia which are capable of infiltrating the small alveolar airways of individuals.

Gliotoxin is produced by the mold genus Aspergillus. Aspergillus spreads in the environment by releasing conidia which are capable of infiltrating the small alveolar airways of individuals.

Gliotoxin (GTX) is produced by the mold genus Aspergillus. Aspergillus spreads in the environment by releasing conidia which are capable of infiltrating the small alveolar airways of individuals. In order to evade the body’s defenses Aspergillus releases Gliotoxin to inhibit the immune system. One of the targets of Gliotoxin is PtdIns (3,4,5) P3. This results in the downregulation of phagocytic immune defense, which can lead to the exacerbation of polymicrobial infections. Gliotoxin impairs the activation of T-cells and induces apoptosis in monocytes and in monocyte-derived dendritic cells. These impairments can lead to multiple neurological syndromes.