[Elevated indicators of liver metabolism in patients with giardiasis]

The authors present an account on 60 patients where, based on the clinical picture, parasitological examination and laboratory parameters, the diagnosis of giardiasis was established. Among these patients a rise of one or several indicators of liver metabolism was found in 31%. The authors discuss whether the above conditions can be considered hepatitis within the framework of the basic parasitic disease. They eliminated non-parasitic causes (obstruction, HBsAg positive hepatitis, drug hepatitis, toxic hepatopathies) of elevated transaminase and bilirubin levels. For collection of duodenal juice or faeces for parasitological examination they used a gastrofibroscope or rectoscope. After treatment normalization of transaminase and bilirubin serum levels was recorded as well as regression of clinical symptoms and of eosinophilia.