Immunological and Biochemical Glimpses of Giardiasis in Thalassemic Patients

Aims: The present work seeks to ascertain immunological and biochemical characteristics in thalassemic individuals who have contracted giardiasis. Materials Methods: This experimental study was conducted at the Thalassemia Center in Thi-Qar province, Iraq, in 2022. Fifty patients (21 males and 29 females) and 20 healthy controls were investigated. Of the patients’ group, twenty-five were thalassemic and had giardiasis. The other 14 patients were thalassemic and free of giardia infection, and the remaining 11 patients were non-thalassemic but had giardia infection. Five ml of venous blood from each participant was withdrawn to determine WBCs, neutrophil activity, and levels of IL-6, iron, ferritin, and transferrin. Findings: The levels of interleukin-6 in the three patient groups (28.20, 23.29, and 30.94pg/ml) were considerably higher than those in healthy controls (16.09pg/ml). In patient groups, there was a notable rise in WBCs but a notable fall in neutrophil activity. Additionally, a substantial increase in iron and ferritin was found, although transferrin was lower in the patients than in the control group. Conclusion: The thalassemia and giardia patients have greater iron and ferritin levels but much lower transferrin levels than the healthy individuals.