Evaluation of some micronutrients in patients infected with Giardia lamblia in Hawler city

Abstract

Introduction Giardiasis is an infectious disease, usually starts with ingestion of the cysts through contaminated food or water, followed by excystation and release of the trophozoite in the small intestine. 1-3 It is a dangerous disease that affect children and adults and lead to malabsorbtion syndrome and weight loss in the infected persons. 4,5 Giardia lamblia has a unique metabolic pathway that allows it to survive and multiply by scavenging nutrients from the host; 6 which commonly causes acute or chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, anorexia, vomiting, flatulence, weight loss and fatigue. However, a significant proportion of infected individuals are completely asymptomatic. 7 Trophozoites, the active forms of the parasite, colonize the upper small intestine by adhering to the apical surface of the epithelium which leads to malnutrition as well as malabsorption in the infected persons. 6,8 Once a person becomes infected with Giardia lamblia many biochemical changes are often found during infectious period like alteration in lipid profiles, alteration of some micronutrients, certain enzymes and vitamins. 9-12 Micronutrients such as iron, chromium, copper, manganese, selenium and zinc are essential cofactors of enzymes and as organizers of the molecular structures of the cell. 13,14 The main impact of human intestinal parasitic infections is its relation to trace elements and vitamin deficiency, which may have Background and objective: The micro aerophilic flagellated protozoan parasite, Giardia lamblia, is the most common intestinal pathogen infecting human and a major diarrheal disease found throughout the world. It can cause acute or chronic diarrhea contributing to nutritional status, growth, and intellectual function. This prospective study evaluated the association between giardiasis and blood minerals disorders in Hawler city. Methods: The present study was carried out at the College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, via collaborating study between the Department of Biochemistry and the Department of Microbiology. The study was carried out on 50 patients with giardiasis and 65 age and sex matched healthy controls. Examination of fecal samples for detection of Giardia cyst and/or trophozoite was carried out using the direct wet smear, while serum zinc, iron and copper levels were measured for both groups spectrophotometrically using commercial diagnostics kits. Results: The levels of serum zinc and iron in patients infected with Giardia lamblia were significantly lower (P <0.01) compared to normal healthy control, while the differences in the level of serum copper was significantly higher (P <0.01). Conclusion: : In the frame of this work we delineate that Giardia lamblia infection had a significant effect on serum trace elements reflected by, significant decrease in serum zinc and iron levels, whereas the level of copper increased too in a statistically significant manner.

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