Hematological profile in natural progression of giardiasis: kinetics of experimental infection in gerbils.

INTRODUCTION: The clinical manifestations of giardiasis and its impact are harmful to children, and may cause deficits in their physical and cognitive development. The pathogenic mechanisms are usually unknown and the available reports can be controversial. METHODOLOGY: The present study aimed to know, for the first time, the evolution of the hematological profile of the gerbils, experimentally infected with Giardia lamblia, up to the infection's resolution. Hematological variables have been tested. RESULTS: White blood cells have not presented meaningful alterations during the course of the infection. A significant reduction in the number of red blood cells (p = 0.021), in the concentration of hemoglobin (p = 0.029) and in the value of the hematocrit (p = 0.016) has been observed, starting from the second week of infection, ratifying an anemia related to giardiasis. Reduction in the level of serum iron starting from the third week of infection, despite not being significant, could suggest the participation of iron in the anemia. However, the weight of the animals was kept and the hematimetric parameters started to return to the basic values after the parasitological cure without iron reposition. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes found suggest the idea that not only malabsorption but also other mechanisms such as chronic inflammation may be implicated in iron deficiency anemia in giardiasis and may explain how asymptomatic patients may have anemia without malabsorption. In this context, considering the highlighting character of the anemia in our study, we believe that anemia should be investigated in children with giardiasis. And in the cases of anemia without a definite etiology, giardiasis should also be investigated.

Effect of probiotics on giardiasis. Where are we?

ABSTRACT Giardiasis, an intestinal infection caused by Giardia lamblia, was recently included in the 'Neglected Diseases Initiative' by the World Health Organization. Symptomatic patients can develop mild diarrhea up to a severe malabsorption syndrome, and children may show significantly impaired cognitive and physical development. Currently, nitroimidazoles are the main class of antibiotic used to treat giardiasis. Despite the efficacy of these drugs, adverse effects and reported resistance have increased, encouraging studies to identify and develop therapeutic alternatives. In this context, probiotics may represent an attractive option. Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms that, when administered in suitable amounts, confer a health benefit to the host. The use of probiotics in the treatment of parasitosis has been suggested because of its beneficial effects, such as a reduced time of gastrointestinal symptoms and parasite load in animal models and humans. Probiotics have been studied as an alternative treatment for giardiasis. In this review, we evaluated probiotic effectiveness in the treatment and prevention of this disease. Based on the studies examined herein, we conclude that probiotics have a beneficial effect on the modulation of giardiasis.