Effect of Giardiasis Upon Blood Levels of Vitamin A

Silent infection of Giardia lamblia causing bleeding through Vitamin K Malabsorption

“…None of these hypotheses, however, fully explain the selective malabsorption that occurred in our case. While G. lamblia infection may be quite common, 4 the majority of the cases are asymptomatic, and so we are inclined to pay little attention to this parasitic infection 5 . In the present case, association of Giardia infection and coagulopathy is confirmed by the fact that the coagulopathy was recovered, and the vitamin K malabsorption was significantly improved after successful eradication of G. lamblia.…”

“…Interest has recently focused on the clinical significance of malabsorption. Giardiasis can produce malabsorption of carbohydrate and of vitamins A and B 12 , 5 the mechanisms of the absorptive dysfunction remain unclear. We have experienced a case in which giardiasis was found for the first time, to cause malabsorption of vitamin K, and induced bleeding in a patient treated with anticoagulant therapy.…”