Possible Correlation between Giardia duodenalis Genotypes and Fecal Calprotectin in Children with Diarrhea

Hanan M  Abou-Seri; Asmaa  Ibrahim; Fatima  Zahran

doi:10.18502/ijpa.v17i4.11275

Hanan M Abou-Seri Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Asmaa Ibrahim Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, University of Sadat City (GEBRI, USC), Sadat, Egypt
Fatima Zahran Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v17i4.11275

Keywords: Giardia duodenalis; Genotypes; Fecal calprotectin; Diarrhea; Egypt

Abstract

Background: Giardiasis is one of the leading causes of diarrhea, particularly among children under the age of five in developing countries. Fecal calprotectin (FC) is an important biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of inflammtory bowel disease, but other diagnoses should be considered in light of its elevation. We aimed to evaluate FC level in patients diagnosed with giardiasis and elucidate a possible correlation between Giardia genotypes and FC levels.

Methods: Overall, 120 fecal samples were collected from children aged 4-12 years and tested for giardiasis by light microscopy. Out of which, 50 samples were enrolled within two groups: group I “cases” and group II “controls” and then subjected to PCR amplification, sequencing of the beta-giardin (bg) gene of the parasite, and FC evaluation.

Results: Assemblage B was identiﬁed in 75%, and assemblage A in 25% of samples. FC levels were statistically elevated in “group I” in comparison to “group II”. Likewise, there was a statistically significant difference between FC levels in patients infected with assemblage A and assemblage B with a mean of 114 μg/gm and 202 μg/gm, respectively.

Conclusion: The study highlighted the possible association between Giardia genotype B and elevated FC levels, further detailed studies are necessary to clarify these finding.