QUANTIFICATION OF LYMPHOCYTIC INFILTRATE IN JEJUNAL EPITHELIUM IN GIARDIASIS

Google Scholar
  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 29  (3) , 408-412
Abstract
The intraepithelial lymphocytes of the jejunal mucosa from patients with giardiasis and from control patients were counted in coded serial sections. Patients with giardiasis and normal intestinal absorption and control patients who had lived and travelled in tropical areas had similar counts, which were higher than those reported for controls from temperate areas. Where giardiasis was accompanied by malabsorption of 1 substance the mean count was significantly higher than that of controls (P < 0.02). In those patients with giardiasis and malabsorption of 2 or 3 substances the mean count was significantly higher than that of controls (P < 0.02) and that of patients with giardiasis and normal absorption (P < 0.05). After treatment, intraepithelial lymphocyte counts declined consistently in patients with malabsorption. An association between raised intraepithelial lymphocyte counts and malabsorption is indicated. The possible significance of this finding is discussed.