title: [Absorption of D-xylose in intestinal parasitic diseases].
abstract: In order to investigate the intestinal absorption in relation to parasitic diseases, 106 children were studied using the xylose test. All of them were attending a primary school. The height and weight were recorded, and the hemoblobin and hematocrit were estimated in each one. The examination of the stools shown one or more parasites in 57.6 per cent specimens. The E. histolytica, Hymenolepis nana and A. lumbricoides, were identified in 22.6, 21.7 and 20.7 per cent children, respectively; G lamblia was found in 10.4 per cent. Only the children with Giardia had a statistical difference in the absorption of xylose, with respect to those without parasites. At the same time height was low in comparison to a group of children with similar age and sex, selected among the 45 without parasitic diseases. Findings are discussed according to the pathogenic mechanism involved in giardiasis. Emphasis is done in the interplay of malnutrition and G. lamblia.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D014994:Xylose / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014994:Xylose
vernacular_title: Absorción de la D-xilosa en las parasitósis intestinales