Abstract
Background: Parasitic infections cause a significant proportion of morbidity in developing countries with poor sanitation and water quality. Giardia intestinalis is one of the most prominent of these infections, causing structural and functional changes in the intestinal mucosa that lead to malabsorption of vital nutrients such as iron, folate, and vitamin B12. This study aimed to identify changes in some hematological and biochemical parameters related to anemia.Materials and Methods: Two hundred stool samples from both sexes (100 males and 100 females) of the same age were examined for giardiasis infection. Patients were classified into four groups: those with giardiasis, those with anemia, those with both giardiasis and anemia, and healthy individuals as a control group. Blood samples (5 ml per sample) were collected at the Public Health Laboratories in Karbala Governorate between October 2025 and March 2026. Samples were evaluated to calculate the mean ± standard deviation and perform the LSD test at a p ≤ 0.05 for hematological parameters (RBC, Hb, PCV, MCH, MCHC, WBCs) and biochemical parameters (Vitamin D3, Vitamin B12, Ferritin, and Serum Iron).Results:The results showed that giardiasis caused a decrease in RBC, Hb, and PCV values in both male and female patients compared to the control group. Biochemical analysis revealed that the group infected with giardiasis and anemia had significantly lower serum iron, ferritin, and vitamin B12 values compared to the control group, which had higher levels. Vitamin D3 levels were also lower in the group infected with giardiasis and anemia. Conclusions:The study concludes that Giardia intestinal infection causes significant changes in hematological and biochemical parameters associated with anemia, highlighting the health complications resulting from this parasitic infection.