C-kit expression and potential role of iNOS, COX-2, and ICAM-3 in Giardiasis

Objective: Giardiasis is an intestinal infection and inflammatory mediators take place in host defense mechanisms. The aim of this study was to examine the consistency and usefulness of c-kit in diagnosis, to establish the roles of iNOS, COX-2 and ICAM-3 in the pathogenesis of Giardia Lamblia infection. Materials and methods: The study was performed on tissue samples obtained from 59 patients. Sections of duodenal biopsies were stained for iNOS, COX-2, ICAM-3, and c-kit immunohistochemically. The tissue samples were processed and evaluated by authors at the Department of Pathology. Results: In our study iNOS and COX-2 expression in the duodenal epithelium of the giardiasis group showed statistically significant difference as compared to the control group. Similarly, ICAM-3 expression in the inflammatory cells showed statistically significant difference. None of the cases showed positivity with c-kit. Conclusion: Our results indicate that these mediators play a role in the pathogenesis of Giardia infection and immunohistochemistry is not a useful method for the diagnosis of giardiasis.