Evaluation of some micronutrients, antioxidant biomarkers and total antioxidant capacity in human giardiasis

Giardia lamblia, a common parasite of the human small bowel, is responsible for diarrhea, nutritional deficiencies and production of free radicals. Micronutrients regulate many physiological functions and participate in antioxidant defense. Changes in their serum levels occur in several gastrointestinal disorders. The present study aimed to investigate the homeostasis of some micronutrients and antioxidant defense in human giardiasis. The study was designed to compare serum levels of some micronutrients and antioxidant status in 30 patients with symptomatic giardiasis and 30 age- and sex-matched controls. Giardia trophozoites and/or cysts were detected in the stool samples of patients using saline and iodine wet mount preparations and formol ether technique. Levels of magnesium, iron, manganese, copper and chromium were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Vitamin E level was determined as well as total antioxidant capacity [TAC] and serum levels of the antioxidant biomarkers; albumin, total bilirubin and uric acid were evaluated. Giardia-infected patients displayed significantly lower levels of magnesium, iron, manganese, chromium and vitamin E and higher levels of copper and uric acid compared to controls. TAC, albumin and bilirubin in Giardia-infected patients were not significantly different from the controls. The pathophysiological changes in giardiasis alter the homeostasis of some micronutrients. Uric acid constitutes an important antioxidant defense in human giardiasis that may compensate for the deficiency of some antioxidant micronutrients. Prevention and treatment of giardiasis may have a positive impact on the micronutrient status and on the general health of the population

Cryptosporidiosis and other intestinal parasites in 3 yemeni orphanages: Prevalence, risk, and morbidity

The epidemiological pattern of cryptosporidiosis and other intestinal parasites were studied among 3 orphanages in Sana'a City. A total of 292 orphans [225 males and 67 females], aged 4-20 years old were recruited. A questionnaire of demographic information, health status and other relevant information was filled out for each one. Fresh stool specimens were processed by wet mount preparation, formalin-ether concentration and MZL stain. Among 292 orphans, the overall parasitic rate was 62.7%. C. parvum showed highest prevalence [24%] followed by G. lamblia [16.8%], E. histolytica /E.dispar [13%], and then E. coli [18.5%]. Hymenolepis nana was in 7.2% of children but only 3 cases of Ascaris lumbricoides. The risk of C. parvum was significantly higher in children

Alteration in circulating soluble Fas level in Toxoplasma seropositive pregnant women

The role of sFas in human toxoplasmosis was designed, included 23 pregnant women serologically positive for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies, and ten sero-negative pregnant females constituted the control group. Antibody titer was assessed by indirect haemagglutination test. The presence of specific IgM antibodies was determined by comparing antibody titer before and after serum treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol. sFas was quantified in sera of cases and controls by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Antibody titers ranged from 1/160 to 1/640. All cases were negative for specific IgM antibodies indicating that they had passed the acute stage of infection Statistical analysis revealed significant elevation in sFas level in cases compared to controls. The sFas role in establishment of a stable host parasite interaction in toxoplasmosis was discussed

Levels of growth hormone, albumin and ferritin in human fascioliasis and schistosomiasis

This study assessed levels of growth hormone, albumin and ferritin in human fascioliasis and schistosomiasis. Forty three patients and ten healthy parasite free subjects were included as controls. All were subjected to clinical, parasitological, and haematological examinations. Serum growth hormone [GH] levels were measured by an immunoenzymometric assay. Statistical analysis revealed significant elevation in GH levels in acute and chronic fascioliasis patients compared to controls. Serum albumin was significantly low in schistosomiasis patients compared to controls. Non-significant changes in serum ferritin were in all patients. The results were critically discussed on the light of the work done before

Influence of the antioxidant drug [antox] on experimental giardiasis and microsporidiosis

The effect of antioxidant [Antox] on Giardia lamblia and Microsporidium sp. in rats and mice respectively was studied. Pa-rasitologic effect was assessed by the mean parasitic count in infected animals' stool treated and non-treated, and infection intensity in stained section. Biochemical by measuring activities of lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], superoxide dismutase [SOD], malondialdehyde [MDA], myeloperoxidase [MPO] levels and cytokine induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 [CINC-1] in intestinal homogenates in these animals as shown by cell injury, lipid peroxidation and neutrophil infiltrations. The present results showed that Antox significantly exacerbated G. lamblia and Microsporidium sp. This was manifested by a significant increase in number of G. lamblia cysts and trophozoites in stool and intestinal sections of treated infected rats. Also, microsporidian spores were significantly higher in stool of treated infected mice and infection intensity increased in the intestinal sections. The biochemical study showed a significantly higher degree of cell injury, lipid peroxidation and intestinal neutrophils accumulation in non-treated infected animals whether with G. lamblia or microsporidia. The changes reduced after treatment in giard-iasis but none in microsporidiosis. The results were tabulated photographed, and critically discussed

serum gastrin level in patients with schistosomiasis and fascioliasis

The study assessed changes in fasting serum gastrin level in early schistosomiasis and chronic fascioliasis in 52 patients. Forty patients had either schistosomiasis or fascioliasis alone. Twelve patients had combined infection with both parasitosis. Also, ten healthy parasite free individuals were selected as a control. All were clinically examined and subjected to stool analysis, liver function tests and sero-diagnosis for H. pylori. Serum gastrin was measured by radioimmunoassay and showed significant elevation in all patients [with schistosomiasis, fascioliasis or both parasites] compared to controls. A significantly higher serum gastrin level was detected among patients with combined infection relative to either with schistosomiasis or fascioliasis. Alkaline phosphatase activity increased significantly in all patients as compared to control. The activity of the enzyme had significant positive correlation with egg counts in patients with either parasite and with serum gastrin level in those with combined infection. The results were discussed