Immunology and Infectious Disease Commons^™

Molecular And Cellular Characterizations Of Glucosylceramide Transferase (Synthase) In Giardia Lamblia, Vanessa Enriquez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Giardiasis, caused by an intestinal protozoan, Giardia lamblia, is a major public health problem worldwide. Giardia infection is spread through the fecal-oral route via contaminated water and food. It is estimated that over 280 million people are infected with Giardia across the globe. Giardia is a non-invasive parasite and consists of a two-stage life cycle: trophozoites and cysts. Ingested cysts undergo excystation in the proximal small intestine, releasing two trophozoites (excyzoites). Upon reaching the distal small intestine and colonizing there, trophozoites transform into cysts by encystation. It has been reported earlier that the process of encystation induced the synThesis of …

Global Sphingolipid Profile Of Giardia Lamblia During Stage Differentiation: The Influence Of Sphingomyelin Abundance On Viable Cyst Production, Trevor Thomas Duarte

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Giardia lamblia is a protozoan parasite and a major cause of the waterborne-illness, giardiasis, worldwide. Giardiasis is endemic in developing countries and is a leading cause of non-viral- and non-bacterial-associated intestinal disorders. Acute symptoms of giardiasis include diarrhea, cramps, and malabsorption. The disease is often self-limiting, although the infection can result in long-term disorders such as chronic fatigue, stunted cognitive skills, and failure to thrive even after the parasite has been cleared.

This parasite exists in two morphologic forms--infective trophozoites and transmissible, water-resistant cyst, which is passed by the fecal-oral route and is likely to be spread by contaminated drinking …

Giardia Lamblia: Regulation Of Cyst Production By Glycosphingolipids, Tavis Lyle Mendez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The diplomonad protist, Giardia lamblia, colonizes and replicates in the small intestine of mammals. In humans, Giardia infection (known as giardiasis) can be symptomatic or asymptomatic with the former being associated with fatty stool, abdominal pain, malnutrition, and weight loss. Both cell-mediated and humoral immune responses against Giardia infection are possible, and adaptive responses have been reported to be important for controlling the infection. Non-immune components such as secretory immunoglobulin, intestinal lipids, and bile acids also play significant roles in determining the severity of the infection by Giardia.

Giardia exists in two morphologic forms--trophozoites and cysts--and maintains a simple life …