Is there an association of giardiasis with beta-thalassemia minor?

Year 2010, Volume: 15 Issue: 3, 128 - 131, 17.01.2013

Javed Yakoob Wasim Jafri Hizbullah Shaikh

Abstract

Abstract. Beta–thalassemia minor  is a symptomless carrier state of a hemoglobinopathy which predisposes to bacterial infections. We report three cases presenting with giardiasis, a parasitic infection of gastrointestinal tract caused by Giardia lamblia. Patients presented with recurrent diarrhea and abdominal pain for over a year. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy finding varied from normal to acute duodenitis. Duodenal biopsy demonstrated changes consistent with mild chronic non-specific inflammation with G. lamblia trophozoites. All three patients were diagnosed as β -thalassemia minor hemoglobin electrophoresis. They were treated with Diloxanide furoate 500 mg and Metronidazole 400mg three times daily for five days. Their symptoms resolved and a stool test repeated one week after  the end of treatment was normal. The host immune system both humoral and cellular components have a role in protection and clearance of Giardiasis. However, β -thalassemia minor patients have an observed probability of gardiasis but not a confirmed incidence.

 

Key words: β-Thalassemia-trait, diarrhea, abdominal pain, giardiasis, CD2

Keywords

β-Thalassemia-trait, diarrhea, abdominal pain, giardiasis, CD2

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