Correlation between Giardia lamblia and Helicobacter pylori infections in patients of Wasit Province, Iraq

Abstract

Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) infections caused by Giardia lamblia and Helicobacter pylori are among the wide-spread GIT infections in the world, especially countries with low quality of health system. The current study was conducted to evaluate the current infection status of G. lamblia and H. pylori and to find any correlation between the two infections at the incidence level with the age and gender of patients in Wasit Province, Iraq. For the sampling, 100 stool samples were examined for the presence of G. lamblia, using direct wet-smear microscopy, and H. pylori, using the detection of the bacterial antigen via the use of H. pylori antigen rapid test kit. The results demonstrated that G. lamblia was detected in 24 (24%) patients of 18 (18%) males and 6 (6%) females. For H. pylori, the infection was found in 24 (24%) patients of 20 (20%) males and 4 (4%) females. The infection rates for G. lamblia and H. pylori were significantly (p≤0.05) correlated with younger ages (high infection rates (14%) and (15%), respectively, were seen in age category of two to ten years old) and the male-based gender category. The current study demonstrates that Giardia lamblia and Helicobacter pylori infections usually occur in young males.