Giardia lamblia and chronic gastritis

ABSTRACT

One hundred and two patients suffering from giardiasis and/or chronic gastritis were subjected to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Purified immune rabbit's serum against Giardia lamblia was used in ELISA and immunoperoxidase [IIP] techniques for detection of Giardia antigen in the stomach. Results showed that out of 70 cases with intestinal giardiasis, 8 [11.4%] by ELISA and 6 [8.6%] by IIP showed gastric giardiasis. Higher percentage of gastric giardiasis [14%] was encountered in cases with both giardiasis and chronic gastritis [50] than in cases with giardiasis alone [5%] but with statistically insignificant difference. None of the cases with chronic gastritis alone [without giardiasis] was positive for gastric giardiasis. Dyspepsia was the main presenting symptom in cases with gastric giardiasis with significant association. Helicobacter pylori was encountered in 6 out of 8 cases [75%] with gastric giardiasis with significant association. Duodenogastric reflux was detected in 4 out of 8 cases [50%]. Histopathological changes in antral mucosa were detected in all cases of gastric giardiasis