role intraepithelial lymphocytes in parasite clearance: an ultrastructural study on experimental giardiasis

ABSTRACT

Ten albino rats infected with Giardia lamblia cysts were used to study the small intestinal mucosal cellular response to Giardia lamblia and the role of the intraepithelial lymphocytes [IELs] in parasite clearance. Five healthy rats were also used as a control group. An ultrastructural study was made. A marked increase in the IELs was noticed at different levels of the intestinal epithelium. They were frequently found surrounded by tissue lysis or degenerated enterocytes. Both direct and antibody mediated cytotoxicity of the migrating IELs to the trophozoites might explain the mechanism of parasite clearance by such cells