What's eating you? An update on Giardia, the microbiome and the immune response. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Singer, Steven M; Angelova, Vanessa V; DeLeon, Heriberto; Miskovsky, Eleanor
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in microbiology. Volume 58(2020)
• Page Start: 87
• Page End: 92
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2020.09.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-5274

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Giardia infection alters the microbiome, generally including an increase in Prevotella and a decrease in Bacteroides. Bile salts and their metabolites mediate several effects of the microbiome on Giardia and vice versa . Giardia modulates innate immune responses during single and co-infections. Abstract : Giardia intestinalis has been observed in human stools since the invention of the microscope. However, it was not recognized as a pathogen until experimental infections in humans in the 1950s resulted in diarrheal illness [1 ]. We now know that this protozoan is capable of inducing a malabsorptive diarrhea and that the parasite is a major contributor to stunting in young children [2 ]. However, the majority of infections with this parasite are not accompanied by overt diarrhea and several studies indicate that it actually has a protective effect against moderate-severe diarrhea [3 ]. There is therefore significant interest in the mechanisms responsible for the wide variation observed in the clinical outcomes of infection with Giardia . This review will highlight recent work on the interactions among the parasite, the host microbiome and the immune response as contributing to this variation.