Immunoglobulins in serum and duodenal juice and peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with giardiasis.

Forty eight patients with symptomatic giardiasis and 22 apparently healthy matched controls without Giardia lamblia were studied with respect to the following variables--immunoglobulins (Igs) G, A and M in serum, IgA in duodenal juice and T and B in lymphocyte sub-populations. There were no differences observed between the two groups with regard to any of these variables except for serum IgG which was found to be higher in patients. It was concluded that endemic giardiasis has no immunodeficient basis and has nothing in common with the association of giardiasis, mal absorption and immunodeficiency reported from the West. Further, no change in these variables was observed when the tests were repeated after cure.