**Author details**

As is often said, prevention is better than cure. However, scanning the objective slides with a microscope is time consuming and exhausting. Cysts could be covered in debris or if at all when available for examination, each cyst will have to be checked for different morphological characteristics, and therefore, skilled technicians are needed. Due to the visualization difficulties of microscopic readings from samples, significant progress has been made in molecular methods such as PCR and PCR-RFLP aiming at proper characterization of *G. duodenalis* into its different assemblages and subassemblages. Therefore, researchers are frequently confronted with the challenge of defining new methods, specific for rapid and accurate diagnosis and for tracking the source of contamination. This is necessary in order to provide efficient treatment and prevent grievance. Even though we have managed to overcome some of the upcoming obstacles, the presence of inhibitors, low sensitivity of molecular methods, and lack of interand in some cases intralaboratory standardization in PCR methods are the main reasons that

Water is worth protecting and is the most important nutrient. Contamination of water by *G. duodenalis* is a health risk to all of us. Infective stages of *Giardia* species are able to persist in the aquatic environment for months, which is also the major route of infection. The fast and reliable detection of the parasites and ability to trace its origin can curb the occurrence

With this chapter, we would like to emphasize how effective the innovative LAMP process is. It is worth to be presented to a large specialist audience: one because it offers many advantages over other detection methods and secondly as it is very efficient and easy to carry out without the need for expensive equipment. Moreover, in this case, it is irrelevant that test matrix available for analysis. The detection is easy in stool and tissue samples as well as in

The chapter summarizes all relevant information on the detection of *G. duodenalis* with the LAMP procedure and gives a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art. This is a collection of all available protocols related to the development and application of a simple field-usable method that can meet the needs for a quicker and objective readout for the diagnosis of giardiasis in water and feces. The LAMP assay is ranked among the most accurate molecular tools thanks to its high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. The future utility of a simple portable device (tube scanner) in which both the amplification platform (heating block) and fluorescent detection unit for end point use (with the ability to acquire real time data) has been envisioned

to be combined into a single unit for LAMP assay for the detection of *Giardia* infections.

At present, LAMP is entering the ranks of the recognized detection methods among the World Health Organization (WHO) collaborating centers on foodborne trematode infections. This has been achieved mainly after the reported diagnosis of *Opisthorchis viverrini* infection in stool samples by the use of the LAMP technique [53]. The establishment and the use of a commercial LAMP assay (TB-LAMP) for the detection of tuberculosis was the subject of the expert group meeting organized by the WHO in Geneva in May 2013, and they certified LAMP as a potential diagnostic test. During the last year, CDC-UGA had financially supported the development of RealAmp-LAMP platform for the accurate detection of *Plasmodium vivax* infections [54]. The LAMP is considered as a technology under

of larger outbreaks or epidemics premature or better, even avoid one.

urge scientists to develop further methods.

124 Current Topics in Giardiasis

environmental samples, mud, and water.

Carmen Gallas-Lindemann1 , Poornima Sureshkumar<sup>2</sup> , Michael J. Noack3 and Isaia Sotiriadou3 \*

\*Address all correspondence to: isaia.sotiriadou@uk-koeln.de

1 Linksniederrheinische Entwässerungs-Genossenschaft, Kamp-Lintfort, Germany

2 Center of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

3 Centre of Dental Medicine, Policlinic of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
