Immunology of Giardia and Cryptosporidium Infections Martin

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Abstract
Giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis occur in immunocompetent persons, and as opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals. The causative organisms of giardiasis (Giardia lamblia) and cryptosporidiosis (Cryptosporidium parvum) have markedly different life cycles, but currently available evidence suggests that intestinal antibody plays a major part in host protection against both parasites. In the case of G. lamblia, the evidence points to a role for intestinal antitrophozoite antibody in blocking adherence of trophozoites to intestinal epithelium, with consequent removal of trophozoites from the intestine by peristalsis. Similarly, recent work supports the viewthat C. parvum infection can be prevented or interrupted byantibody that binds to Cryptosporidium life cyclestages present in the intestinal lumen (sporozoitesand merozoites). Molecular characterization of G. lamblia and C.parvum immunodominant antigens would facilitate future studies aimed at determining whether vaccination against giardiasis or cryptosporidiosis is feasible.

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