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Acute infections with Giardia lamblia and rotavirus decrease intestinal permeability to low-molecular weight
Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|January 1, 1984
Summary
Acute diarrhea from Giardia lamblia or rotavirus infections temporarily reduces intestinal permeability. This study investigated polyethylene glycol (PEG) recovery in patients, finding altered absorption during infection that normalized post-recovery.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Acute diarrhea is a common ailment with significant public health implications.
- Infectious agents like Giardia lamblia and rotavirus are frequent causes of acute gastroenteritis.
- Intestinal permeability alterations are suspected in various gastrointestinal disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of acute Giardia lamblia and rotavirus infections on passive intestinal permeability.
- To assess changes in intestinal absorptive capacity during and after infection.
- To correlate observed permeability changes with potential long-term consequences like malnutrition.
Main Methods:
- A liquid meal containing polyethylene glycols (PEG) of varying molecular weights (400; 282-590 Da) was administered to patients with acute diarrhea.
- Urinary recovery of PEG molecules was measured 6 hours post-ingestion.
- Measurements were taken during the acute infection phase and after clinical recovery (3-4 weeks later).
Main Results:
- Both Giardia lamblia and rotavirus infections were associated with a significant decrease in 6-hour urinary recovery of PEG molecules.
- The reduction in PEG recovery was more pronounced for larger molecular weight species, indicating impaired absorption of larger molecules.
- Intestinal permeability returned to near-normal values following clinical recovery from the infections.
Conclusions:
- Acute Giardia lamblia and rotavirus infections transiently alter intestinal permeability and absorptive capacity.
- These findings highlight a potential mechanism linking acute infections to impaired nutrient absorption.
- The observed changes may have implications for understanding malnutrition associated with persistent or recurrent infections caused by these pathogens.