Giardiasis in children attending daycare centers in Guatemala and the therapeutic potential of ganglioside
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Abstract
Intestinal enteropathy is a prevalent yet neglected aspect of child malnutrition involving chronic exposure to intestinal pathogens such as Giardia intestinalis. Gangliosides have therapeutic potential for the treatment of giardiasis and intestinal enteropathy. The objectives of the thesis were to 1. assess the Giardia carriage patterns in daycares in Guatemala, 2. compare anthropometric data between Giardia carriers and non-carriers, 3. compare sensitivity and specificity of 3 Giardia diagnostic methods (ProSpecT-Giardia-EZ-Microplate assay, RidaQuick Giardia dipsticks and microscopic analysis using the sucrose concentration gradient method). Giardia prevalence rates were high (close to 44%), most cases of infection were chronic (5-week study period), and malnutrition (lower weight-for-age Z-scores) may be associated to higher intensity of infection. ELISA was the most sensitive Giardia diagnostic test. Compared to ELISA, the microscopic and dipstick analysis had sensitivities of 53.6% and 60.7%, and specificities of 100% and 97.9%, respectively, within a set of 75 stool samples.