Giardia and Giardiasis - Part B

Dr. M. Guadalupe Ortega Pierres´ group carries out studies on the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis which is a common intestinal parasite in humans worldwide that causes giardiasis. This infection is one of the most frequently diagnosed waterborne diseases and is considered a major public health problem particularly in developing countries. Her work includes the study of basic aspects of host-pathogen interaction. In particular her group is interested in identifying parasite molecules which are expressed and secreted during the interaction of parasite with epithelial cells such as proteases, VSPs and enolase. Also her group has addressed the analysis of the damage caused by these virulence factors in epithelial cells and at the intestinal epithelium in order to understand at the molecular level the pathogenic mechanisms in experimental giardiasis. These studies will define parasite components involved in epithelial cell damage and these may allow the design of new strategies for the control and prevention of giardiasis both in humans and in animals. Her group has also approached the study of the mechanisms involved in the induction of resistance to drugs commonly used in the treatment of giardiasis. They have approached this by the generation of resistant G. duodenalis strains and clones to different drugs and these have been used to identified both, mechanisms and molecules that are involved, particularly, in the resistance to albendazole. These studies will allow understanding the processes involved in the induction of drug resistance in Giardia and will contribute to develop other useful methods for the treatment of the giardiasis.