Serum antibodies and jejunal histology in giardiasis associated with malabsorption

J Clin Pathol. 1976 Jan;29(1):30-4. doi: 10.1136/jcp.29.1.30.

Abstract

An immunofluorescent test, using Giardia lamblia cysts as antigen, gave positive results in 32/36 cases of giardiasis with malabsorption, 0/2 cases of giardiasis without malabsorption, and 0/17 control patients without giardiasis or malabsorption. The test was positive in 10/34 patients with malabsorption in whom G. lamblia could not be detected by stool examination or biopsy; some of these cases were presumed to be cryptic giardiasis. There was a crude correlation between antibody titre and the severity of the histological lesion in the jejunum. The finding of a reliable source of antigen remains a problem.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies* / analysis
  • Biopsy
  • Giardiasis / complications*
  • Giardiasis / immunology
  • Giardiasis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • Jejunum / pathology*
  • Malabsorption Syndromes / complications*
  • Malabsorption Syndromes / pathology

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Immunoglobulin G