Alteration of Serum Lipid Profiles among Amoebasis and Giardiasis Confirmed Patients at North West Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Amoebiasis and giardiasis, common intestinal infections caused by Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia parasite. These agents are dependent of host-derived lipids for their membrane biogenesis and potentially alter host serum lipid profiles, might results in cardiovascular complications. Yet, limited studies have investigated the association between the infections and lipid profiles in Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 10 to August 252023. A total of 180 study participants were recruited using a convenient sampling technique. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected using structured questionnaires via face-to face interviews and reviewing medical records, respectively. Approximately 5 grams of stool samples were collected and examined under a light microscope. Three milliliters of blood were collected from the case and control groups. The blood samples were then centrifuged to separate the serum from the whole blood. Subsequently, the lipid profiles were analyzed using a Coulter chemistry analyzer. The data were entered into epidata version (4.6), and exported into SPSS (25) for analysis. The lipid profile parameters of case were assessed and compared with healthy control groups using one way ANOVA. A P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Result: The study showed that E. histolytica/dispar-infected patients had significantly lower mean serum total cholesterol (120.21 ± 40.11), HDL (33.73 ± 13.36), and LDL (74.63 ± 32.93) levels compared to healthy groups. Additionally, the median interquartile range of triglyceride value decreased in E. histolytica/dispar infected patients (P ≤ 0.05). Likewise, patients infected with G. lamblia had lower mean serum total cholesterol (123.46 ± 48.18), HDL (34.30 ± 14.30), and LDL (73.57 ± 42.65) levels compared to healthy groups. Also, the median interquartile range of triglyceride value was lower in Giardia-infected patients (P≤0.05). Conclusion: This study confirmed that E. histolytica/dispar and G. lamblia has significantly altered blood lipid levels in infected patients. Requires routine lipid panel analysis for these cohorts.