Novel Insights Into The Mechanisms Of Post-Infectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome Using Experimental Giardiasis
Abstract
Irritable Bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most frequent functional gastrointestinal disorder in humans characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. The major pathophysiological features of IBS include: visceral hypersensitivity, intestinal barrier dysfunction, low grade inflammation appear following acute gastroenteritis despite the clearance of the inciting pathogen. This post-infectious (PI)-IBS may occur in patients following infection with bacteria such as C. jejuni, E. coli, Salmonella spp. Recent studies have implicated protozoan parasites such as Giardia duodenalis in the appearance of PI-IBS. G. duodenalis, the most common enteropathogen worldwide, is responsible for giardiasis, a disease causing intestinal malabsorption and diarrhea in a wide variety of species including humans. Using in vivo and in vitro models, the present study, established a proof-of-concept between Giardia-infection and the development of PI-IBS. This study also characterized one of the contributing mechanisms leading to post-giardiasis IBS. In a new neonatal immunocompetent rat model, the human assemblages of Giardia duodenalis caused a significant visceral hypersensitivity 50 days post-infection in two parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Visceral hypersensitivity was associated with mucosal structure modifications: villus atrophy and crypt hyperplasia after clearance of the pathogen. It was also associated with activation of the mucosal immune system as shown by an increase in…
Read the paper
Related studies
- Patient-Centered Pharmaceutical Design to Improve Acceptability of Medicines: Similarities and Differences in Paediatric and Geriatric Populations
- Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for irritable bowel syndrome 2020
- Phase 2b Study of Pimodivir (JNJ-63623872) as Monotherapy or in Combination With Oseltamivir for Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated Seasonal Influenza A: TOPAZ Trial
- Gastrointestinal manifestations in COVID-19
- COVID-19 and Gastrointestinal Disease: Implications for the Gastroenterologist
- Persistent gut barrier damage and commensal bacterial influx following eradication of Giardia infection in mice
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.