Review
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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 21, 2013; 19(47): 8974-8985
Published online Dec 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i47.8974
Extra-intestinal and long term consequences of Giardia duodenalis infections
Marie CM Halliez, André G Buret
Marie CM Halliez, André G Buret, Department of Biological Sciences, Inflammation Research Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Marie CM Halliez, Parasitology Department, Rouen University Hospital & EA 3800, Institute for Biomedical & Research, University of Rouen, Rouen, 76183, France
Author contributions: Halliez MCM and Buret AG wrote the paper.
Supported by Grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (individual operating and CREATE), the France-Canada Research Fund; and the “Ministère de l’enseignement supérieur et de la recherche”, French Ministry of Secondary Education and Research
Correspondence to: André G Buret, PhD, Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Inflammation Research Network, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, AB T2N 1N4, Canada. aburet@ucalgary.ca
Telephone: +1-403-2202817 Fax: +1-403-2899311
Received: July 11, 2013
Revised: August 29, 2013
Accepted: September 16, 2013
Published online: December 21, 2013
Core Tip

Core tip: This review offers a state-of-the-art discussion on the long-term consequences of Giardia infections, the most common waterborne parasitic infection of the human intestine worldwide, from extra-intestinal manifestations, growth and cognitive deficiencies, to post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome. The discussion also sheds light on some of the novel mechanisms recently implicated in the production of these post-infectious manifestations.