CORRECTION OF MICROELEMENT IMBALANCE IN PATIENTS WITH GIARDIASIS

Abstract

Relevance of the topic. Giardiasis is a common protozoan parasitic infection caused by Giardia lamblia and remains a significant public health problem worldwide, particularly in developing and transitional countries. The disease affects both adults and children and is transmitted primarily through contaminated water, food, and direct person-to-person contact. Chronic giardiasis is frequently associated with persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, and malabsorption syndrome. Recent studies have demonstrated that parasitic infections are often accompanied by metabolic disturbances and micronutrient deficiencies; however, data on microelement imbalance in giardiasis remain limited and inconsistent. In clinical practice, treatment of giardiasis is mainly focused on eradication of the parasite, while correction of accompanying metabolic disorders is often underestimated. This may partially explain the persistence of symptoms and delayed recovery observed in some patients after standard antiparasitic therapy.