Serum Levels of Zinc, Copper, Iron, Cobalt, Magnesium, and Selenium Elements in Children Diagnosed with Giardia Intestinalis and Enterobiosis Vermicularis in Hatay, Turkey

Abstract

The intestinal parasites are noted to be an important health problem in Turkey as similarly reported in the globe. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in total content of essential elements, namely, zinc, iron, copper, cobalt, magnesium, and selenium, in children infected with intestinal parasites aged between 6 and 12 years inhabiting in Hatay Province, Turkey. These essential elements were measured in the children/patient who was positive for intestinal parasites, Giardia intestinalis and Enterobius vermicularis. Scores were obtained from the positive study group (SG), and their age matched the healthy children control group (CG). Serological levels of zinc, iron, copper, cobalt, magnesium, and selenium were analyzed by Varian Liberty Series II inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES). The mean magnesium concentrations were found to be statistically different at 95% confidence interval level between study groups. As a result of this study, selenium was found to be uncorrelated with all other elements examined; whereas, copper was observed to have statistically significant correlations with cobalt, magnesium, and zinc. In addition, cobalt-magnesium, cobalt-zinc, and magnesium-zinc metal pairs were found to have statistically significant correlations based on study findings.

Levels of Zinc, Copper, Magnesium Elements, and Vitamin B12, in Sera of Schoolchildren With Giardiasis and Entrobiosis in Kashan, Iran

“…The association of giardiasis and enterobiasis with the malabsorption of zinc, copper, magnesium and vitamin B12 remains controversial. In several studies conducted about trace elements in giardiasis has shown a significant decrease in zinc levels while there was an obvious increase in copper levels [8,10,12,14]. However, in few reports there was no significant difference in serum levels of zinc, copper and magnesium elements between the two groups [21].…”

“…Zinc is especially vital for the immune system functions and its depletion is associated with decline in lymphocyte and thymus functions. Due to its role in immune system functions, zinc deficiencies make infants suffer from acute diarrhea [10]. Zinc deficiency is another increasing public health problem.…”

“…Zinc and magnesium also helps in the production of antibodies and T-cell and other blood cell activities [9][10][11][12][13]. Copper is essential for producing red blood cells, hemoglobin formation and absorption of iron and for the activity of various enzymes [14].…”

“…Also, vitamin B12 is involved in DNA synthesis [16]. The association between trace elements deficiency and G. intestinalis and E. vermicularis infection has scarcely been investigated and links are controversial [10,[13][14][15][16].…”

Impact of Giardiasis on Hematological Profile of Infected Children

“…The increase in different leukocytes may be due to the natural immune response generated against the infection and the greater increase in eosinophils is probably due to the fact that they are primarily involved in dealing with parasitic infections. Giardiasis is known to cause the zinc deficiency which results in decline in the number of lymphocytes 16,17 .…”