ABSTRACT
Giardiasis, an intestinal protozoan infection caused by Giardia lamblia, is common in Syria especially among children aged 2-14 years-old. Effect of giardiasis on serological levels of zinc, copper and iron elements and vitamin B[12] and folic acid were assessed in this study. Two children groups were included in this research: 60 children aged 2-14 years-old were diagnosed as having giardiasis by stool examinations, were enrolled as the study group. The control group consisted of 40 age-matched healthy children. Serological levels of zinc, copper and iron were measured by Colorimetric Method in all samples, and serological levels vitamin B[12] and folic acid were measured by Chemiluminescent Immunoassay. The results revealed that giardiasis increased the serological levels of copper, like other infectious agents, however zinc, and iron elements and vitamin B[12] and folic acid leurls decreased during grardasis due to malalsoyotion