UNLABELLED: Blood platelets play an important role in defensive mechanisms of the organism, especially in anti-parasitic immunity. Parasites activate the blood platelets in the peripheral blood and this activation may be expressed in changes of their morphological parameters.MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have conducted our study measuring quantity and morphological parameters of blood platelets (PLT MPV, PDW, LPLT) in the course of giardiasis. The study population included 40 patients infected with Giardia intestinalis compared with 40 healthy individuals.RESULTS: The infection was found to increase the number of blood platelets (PLT). A slight increase was noted in mean platelet volume (MPV), but the difference was not statistically essential. We have observed an increased platelet distribution width (PDW) in the course of giardiasis.CONCLUSION: The same observation concerned the count of large platelets (LPLT). Our conclusion is that Giardia intestinalis infection changes quantity and morphological parameters of blood platelets and it can be an indicator of platelet activation.
Adult Aged