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- Title
Immune response-mediated pathology in human intestinal parasitic infection.
- Authors
Farthing, Michael J.G.
- Abstract
This article talks about immune response-mediated pathology in human intestinal parasitic infection. An acute intestinal illness is well recognized to occur following a variety of protozoal and helminth infections. In cryptosporidiosis, an intracellular protozoa, there is evidence that the density of lamina propria mononuclear cells and the degree of villous atrophy are related to the intensity of infection. Thus there is clear evidence that both luminal and intracellular protozoa promote a mucosal immune response involving T cells and B cells. It is well established that certain intestinal parasitic infections are more common and have a greater clinical impact in immunocompromised individuals. In otherwise healthy people anti-Giardia IgG can be detected in more than 80% of patients with symptomatic infection; antibody titres may remain elevated for months or even years after primary infection. In endemic areas anti-Giardia IgG titres are increased in individuals without infection, suggesting widespread previous exposure to the parasite. Anti-Giardia IgM titres increase early in infection and then decline rapidly. Studies in India and the Gambia indicate that only 30% of patients with infection have detectable anti- Giardia IgA. Lymphoid nodular hyperplasia has been associated with chronic giardiasis and immune deficiency occurring in 29-71% of cases. There is no clear indication as to the precise pathogenetic relationship between these phenomena, although several studies have shown a predominance of IgM-producing B cells in the mucosa and lymphoid nodules. This increase in IgM-producing B cells may result from a failure to switch from IgM to IgA production within the intestine. The article further provides references related to the topic.
- Subjects
IMMUNE response; INTESTINAL infections; T cells; B cells; IMMUNOGLOBULINS
- Publication
Parasite Immunology, 2003, Vol 25, Issue 5, p247
- ISSN
0141-9838
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1046/j.1365-3024.2003.00633.x