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Review
. 2014:21:55.
doi: 10.1051/parasite/2014056. Epub 2014 Oct 28.

Immunological aspects of Giardia infections

Martin F Heyworth  1
Affiliations
Review

Immunological aspects of Giardia infections

Martin F Heyworth. Parasite. 2014.

Abstract
in English, French

Immunodeficiency, particularly antibody deficiency, predisposes to increased intensity and persistence of Giardia infections. Giardia-infected immunocompetent hosts produce serum and intestinal antibodies against Giardia trophozoites. The number of Giardia muris trophozoites, in mice with G. muris infection, is reduced by intra-duodenal administration of anti-G. muris antibody. Giardia intestinalis antigens that are recognised by human anti-trophozoite antibodies include variable (variant-specific) and invariant proteins. Nitric oxide (NO) appears to contribute to host clearance of Giardia trophozoites. Arginine is a precursor of NO and is metabolised by Giardia trophozoites, possibly reducing its availability for generation of NO by the host. Work with mice suggests that T lymphocytes and interleukin-6 (IL-6) contribute to clearance of Giardia infection via mechanisms independent of antibodies.

L’immunodéficience, particulièrement la déficience en anticorps, prédispose à une augmentation de l’intensité et de la durée des infections à Giardia. Les hôtes immunocompétents infectés par Giardia produisent des anticorps sériques et intestinaux contre les trophozoïtes de Giardia. Le nombre de trophozoïtes de Giardia muris, chez la souris infectée par G. muris, est réduit par l’administration intra-duodénale d’anticorps anti G. muris. Les antigènes de Giardia intestinalis qui sont reconnus par des anticorps humains anti-trophozoïtes comprennent des protéines variables (spécifiques aux variants) et des protéines invariantes. L’oxyde nitrique (NO) semble contribuer à débarrasser l’hôte des trophozoïtes de Giardia. L’arginine est un précurseur de NO et est métabolisé par les trophozoïtes de Giardia, ce qui réduit peut-être sa disponibilité pour la production de NO par l’hôte. Les travaux sur la souris suggèrent que les lymphocytes T et l’interleukine-6 (IL-6) contribuent à éliminer Giardia par des mécanismes indépendants des anticorps.

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