VITAMIN D ESTIMATION IN GIARDIA LAMBLIA INFECTED PATIENTS IN UPPER EGYPT

Authors

1 Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University

2 Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University (Assuit Branch), Egypt

Abstract

Giardia lamblia is one of the parasites affecting gastrointestinal tract causing diarrhea. Recurrent
diarrhea may be associated with decreased serum level of vitamin D. The present
study determined the vitamin D level in Giardia lamblia infected patients and the relation between
G. lamblia infection and vitamin D deficiency among patients with acute or chronic diarrhea
selected from those attended Sohag University Hospitals clinics, from February 2021
to February 2022. A total of 192 patients with acute and chronic diarrhea selected from both
sexes, 96 patients (62 rural, 34 urban) were G. lamblia positive with ages ranged from 3 to 63
years. Of the cross-matched 96/204selected control (59 rural, 37 urban) were negative for G.
lamblia. Serum 25-OH vitamin D estimated by ELISA showed significant decrease in mean
level in patients than in controls.

Keywords