Giardiasis in adults. Studies on jejunum and immunoglobulins

Abstract

In India, parasitic infestations form the major public health hazard and hookworm and Giardia lamblia form the major gut parasitic infestation. In thirty-four adult patients with proven excretion of Cr51 albumin, serum protein, serum immunoglobulin and biopsies of the jejunal mucosa were studied. The present study showed mild to moderate steatorrhoea in 27% and carbohydrate malabsorption in 31% of the cases. There was no excessive gut protein loss and serum proteins were normal in most of the cases. Jejunal mucosal abnormalities were observed in 40% of the cases. Serum IgA and IgG were significantly high.