Comparative Pathobiology of the Intestinal Protozoan Parasites <i>Giardia lamblia</i>, <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i>, and <i>Cryptosporidium parvum</i>

Abstract

Protozoan parasites can infect the human intestinal tract causing serious diseases. In the following article, we focused on the three most prominent intestinal protozoan pathogens, namely, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, and Cryptosporidium parvum. Both C. parvum and G. lamblia colonize the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum and are the most common causative agents of persistent diarrhea (i.e., cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis). Entamoeba histolytica colonizes the colon and, unlike the two former pathogens, may invade the colon wall and disseminate to other organs, mainly the liver, thereby causing life-threatening amebiasis. Here, we present condensed information concerning the pathobiology of these three diseases.

Keywords

• diagnosis
• immunopathology
• intestinal infections
• pathogens
• treatment