Study of the Trace Element Composition in Patients with Giardiasis
Keywords:
Giardia lamblia, trace elements, zinc deficiency, micronutrient supplementation, nutritional correctio, metabolic restoration.Abstract
Giardiasis, caused by Giardia lamblia, remains a widespread global intestinal infection affecting over 200 million people annually, posing significant clinical challenges across both pediatric and adult populations. Although historically regarded as a localized luminal infection, accumulating evidence demonstrates that Giardia colonization triggers profound mucosal damage, secondary malabsorption, and systemic metabolic and immunologic dysfunctions. The mechanical disruption of enterocytes leads to critical trace element depletion (e.g., zinc, iron, selenium), which impairs mucosal immunity and delays clinical recovery. Therefore, there is an urgent clinical need to systematically investigate microelement status in patients with giardiasis and evaluate targeted correction protocols to accelerate mucosal healing, restore immune function, and optimize therapeutic outcomes.
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