BBC News: Scientists discover how giardia parasite makes you ill

[Webdog]

For those interested in the gut and inflammation.

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-42830995

Giardia parasites mimic human cell functions to break apart cells in the gut and feed inside, researchers found.

This also allows bacteria already present in the body to join in and feed from the same nutrients, they said.

Dr Tyler said the difference in the severity of disease might be explained by the proportion of "good" and "bad" bacteria in the gut.

Those who become more ill may have a higher proportion of "bad bacteria" feeding off nutrients released by the giardia parasite, Dr Tyler said.

"What we think is that in people who have the bad bacteria, the pro-inflammatory bacteria, those start to use the nutrients that have been unleashed by the giardia.

"The giardia does the damage, allowing the nutrients to flow into the gut, and then if you have the wrong kind of bacteria you get this cycle of inflammation."

ETA: Link to paper on which article is based.