Becky Butler asked about an ill toddler with this parasite.  One of my girls
picked it up yrs ago -- don't know how.  I knew she was sick due to color
changes and behavioral changes (whiney and clingy)  By the time it was dx
(poor instruction on collecting stool samples) it had about run its course.
Apparantly it is self-limiting (about 6-9 mo is my recollection.) When I
discovered the info that it was self-limiting (thru my brother who is a
prof. of micro-biology at Tx A&M) I was on the verge of initiating the
medical tx.  Before we could, I could tell by her color and behavioral
changes that it was gone.  Re-testing confirmed.  She was 3 and bfed
throughout.  Has we confirmed the dx earlier, I prob. would have treated
just to spare her the misery.  I don't see why anyone would discontinue
nursing through a parasitic infection.  There is good evidence (at least
with giardia ) that breast milk is protective.  It certainly insures some of
the child's nutritional needs if appetite is poor and growth is compromised.
Barbara

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
Private Practice, Austin, Texas
Owner, Lactnews On-Line Conference Page
http://moontower.com/bwc/lactnews.html