LOCAL AND SYSTEMIC IMMUNE RESPONSES IN RATS INFECTED WITH GIARDIA LAMBLIA

Abstract

Objectives: This study was performed to determine the local (tissue) and systemic immune responses inrats infected with Giardia lamblia.Materials and methods: Rattus noruigicus rats aged 2 months were inoculated with 103 Giardia lablia cyst.After 7 and 14 days of infection samples (blood and small intestine) collected from both control and infected rats.Local immune response was assessed by counting the inflammatory cells in small intestine, mast cell number andlymph node diameter. Whearas systemic immune response was carried out by measurement of total and differentialWBC count, phagocytic activity of polymphonuclear cells by NBT stain and histamine levels in blood plasma byELISA kit.Results: Results showed an infiltration of inflammatory cells in all parts of small intestine and an increasing inlymph nodules diameter. Also, there is an infiltration of mast cells. Results of systemic immune response revealed ahigh significant differences in total and differential WBC count between two studied groups. Moreover, there was anincreasing in phogocytic activity of polymorphonuclear cells and histamine plasma levels.Conclusion: Recent data indicated that there is a local and systemic immune response during acute phase ofGiardia lamblia infection in experimental animals.