Study on the latent iron deficiency in patients with trichuriasis

ABSTRACT

Trichuriasis is an intestinal parasitic disease which is caused by Trichuris trichiura, a soil transmitted helminth. In order to evaluate the iron status of trichuriasis in patients a total of 120 [49 males and 71 females] cases with Trichuris trichiura as well as 54 healthy individuals were evaluated. Blood samples were analyzed for serum iron, transferrin saturation%, haemoglobin and other haematological indices. Anaemia based on haemoglobin level less than 13 mg/dI in males and less than 12 mg/dI in females were found in 10 [7 males and 3 females] patients. Of remaining 110 non anaemic patients 11% [14.3% of males and 8.8% in females] would be classified as iron deficient by serum iron and 6% by transferrin saturation%. These findings suggest that serum iron and% transferrin saturation are valid and sensitive tests for detecting iron deficiency in these patients; and T.trichiura infection is associated with high incidence of iron deficiency