Maternal separation during breastfeeding as a risk factor for developing giardiasis: evaluation in a rodent model
M F Gerena-Cruz1, I M Guatibonza-Arévalo2, G Garcia-Laguna3
1School of Medicine, Department of Physiological Science, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior Research Group, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Av Cra 30 No. 45-3, Bogota, 111321, Colombia. mfgerenac@unal.edu.co.
Gut Pathogens
|February 14, 2026
Summary
Early life stress from maternal separation during breastfeeding intensifies Giardia lamblia infections in rats. This highlights the protective role of maternal care against parasitic infections.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Giardia lamblia is a common gastrointestinal parasite worldwide.
- Breastfeeding offers protection against infections, but the effect of early life stress on Giardia infection is unknown.
- Maternal Separation During Breastfeeding (MSDB) was investigated for its impact on Giardia lamblia infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of Maternal Separation During Breastfeeding (MSDB) on Giardia lamblia infection.
- To understand how early life stress influences host resistance to parasitic infections.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Wistar rat model to study the effects of MSDB.
- Monitored Giardia lamblia cyst shedding.
- Assessed intestinal mucosal immune response (eosinophil infiltration) and tissue morphology (villus/crypt ratios).
Main Results:
- MSDB significantly increased Giardia lamblia cyst shedding, with sex-specific temporal patterns.
- Infected MSDB rats exhibited increased eosinophil infiltration in the intestinal mucosa.
- Non-infected separated rats showed altered villus/crypt ratios, particularly males.
Conclusions:
- Maternal separation during breastfeeding exacerbates Giardia lamblia infection severity.
- Early-life maternal interactions appear to play a protective role against Giardia infection.
- Early-life conditions are crucial in determining giardiasis outcomes.
Keywords:
Giardia infectionIntestinal parasitic infectionsMaternal separation stressStress-induced susceptibilityMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
13.9K
The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
13.9K
01:24Drug Toxicity: Risk factors
18
Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are potential complications that arise during pharmacotherapy, influenced by multiple risk factors. Age plays a significant role; both neonates and the elderly are at heightened risk due to their respective immature and diminished metabolic and elimination processes. Gender also impacts ADRs, with females experiencing a 1.5 to 1.7-fold greater risk than males, which may be linked to pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and hormonal differences. Notably, neonates, the...
18
01:12Relative Risk
2.2K
Relative risk (RR) is a statistical measure commonly used in epidemiology to compare the likelihood of a particular event occurring between two groups. This metric is important for evaluating the relationship between exposure to a specific risk factor and the probability of a particular outcome. It plays a crucial role in medical research, public health studies, and risk assessment. Relative risk quantifies how much more (or less) likely an event is to occur in an exposed group compared to an...
2.2K
02:16Transcription Factors
82.9K
Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
82.9K
01:29Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model
343
The Self-Evaluation Maintenance (SEM) model offers a psychological framework to understand how individuals’ self-esteem is influenced by the achievements of others, particularly those with whom they share close personal bonds. The SEM model operates when personal rather than social identity guides individuals. Central to this model is the notion that individuals have an inherent desire to preserve a favorable self-image, which is continuously shaped by interpersonal comparisons and...
343
04:01Factors Affecting Solubility
37.4K
Compared with pure water, the solubility of an ionic compound is less in aqueous solutions containing a common ion (one also produced by dissolution of the ionic compound). This is an example of a phenomenon known as the common ion effect, which is a consequence of the law of mass action that may be explained using Le Chȃtelier’s principle. Consider the dissolution of silver iodide:
37.4K