title: Extra-intestinal and long term consequences of Giardia duodenalis infections.
abstract: Giardiasis is the most common waterborne parasitic infection of the human intestine worldwide. The etiological agent, Giardia duodenalis (syn. G. intestinalis, G. lamblia), is a flagellated, binucleated protozoan parasite which infects a wide array of mammalian hosts. Human giardiasis is a true cosmopolitan pathogen, with highest prevalence in developing countries. Giardiasis can present with a broad range of clinical manifestations from asymptomatic, to acute or chronic diarrheal disease associated with abdominal pain and nausea. Most infections are self-limiting, although re-infection and chronic infection can occur. Recent evidence indicating that Giardia may cause chronic post-infectious gastrointestinal complications have made it a topic of intense research. The causes of the post-infectious clinical manifestations due to Giardia, even after complete elimination of the parasite, remain obscure. This review offers a state-of-the-art discussion on the long-term consequences of Giardia infections, from extra-intestinal manifestations, growth and cognitive deficiencies, to post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome. The discussion also sheds light on some of the novel mechanisms recently implicated in the production of these post-infectious manifestations.
authors.affiliation: Marie CM Halliez, André G Buret, Department of Biological Sciences, Inflammation Research Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
authors.forename: Marie C M
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Halliez
authors.affiliation: Marie CM Halliez, André G Buret, Department of Biological Sciences, Inflammation Research Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
authors.forename: André G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Buret
mesh_terms: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000469:parasitology; D005183:Failure to Thrive / Q000469:parasitology; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000469:parasitology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents
keywords: Extra-intestinal manifestations of enteritis; Failure to thrive; Giardiasis; Inflammatory disorders; Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome