Is there an association of giardiasis with beta-thalassemia minor?

Authors

Javed Yakoob, Aga Khan UniversityFollow
Wasim Jafri, Aga Khan UniversityFollow
Hizbullah Shaikh, King’s College Hospital

Document Type

Report

Department

Medicine; Gastroenterology

Abstract

Beta–thalassemia minor is a symptomless carrier state of a hemoglobinopathy which predisposes to bacterial infections. We report three cases presenting with giardiasis, a parasitic infection of gastrointestinal tract caused by Giardia lamblia. Patients presented with recurrent diarrhea and abdominal pain for over a year. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy finding varied from normal to acute duodenitis. Duodenal biopsy demonstrated changes consistent with mild chronic non-specific inflammation with G. lamblia trophozoites. All three patients were diagnosed as β -thalassemia minor hemoglobin electrophoresis. They were treated with Diloxanide furoate 500 mg and Metronidazole 400mg three times daily for five days. Their symptoms resolved and a stool test repeated one week after the end of treatment was normal. The host immune system both humoral and cellular components have a role in protection and clearance of Giardiasis. However, β -thalassemia minor patients have an observed probability of gardiasis but not a confirmed incidence.

Publication (Name of Journal)

Eastern Journal of Medicine

Recommended Citation

Yakoob, J., Jafri, W., Shaikh, H. (2010). Is there an association of giardiasis with beta-thalassemia minor?. Eastern Journal of Medicine, 15(3), 128-131.
Available at: https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_med_gastroenterol/44