What is the Key Mechanism in Establishing Giardial Diarrhea

Question

What is the key mechanism in establishing giardial diarrhea?
A)The excretion of an enterotoxin by Giardia.
B)The destruction of intestinal epithelial cells by Giardia.
C)The attachment of Giardia trophozoites to intestinal epithelia.
D)The invasion of Giardia into the intestinal epithelial cells.
E)The production of a cytolytic exotoxin by Giardia.

Accepted Answer

The key mechanism in establishing giardial diarrhea is the attachment of Giardia trophozoites to intestinal epithelia. This attachment causes physical damage to the intestinal lining and disrupts normal digestion and absorption of nutrients, leading to diarrhea. Giardia does not excrete an enterotoxin or produce a cytolytic exotoxin, nor does it invade the intestinal epithelial cells or destroy them.