Giardia intestinalis is a very frequent intestinal parasite in the planetary ladder, including in France. The clinical picture is generally that of a diarrhoeia with risks of dehydration and of a malabsorption. Two factors at least seem to intervene in the evolution of illness: the virulence of the parasite and the immune answer of the guest. For a long time, feeding is known to confer a double, specific immunity and asp cifique (IGA S CR TOIRES). Also, this mode of feeding is favoured, especially in developing countries, where pathogenic intestinal are endemic.

Tellez and coll. accomplished a prospective study in Nicaragua to know if the advantageous effect of feeding on the infantile giardiase was attributable to specific immunity. During two years, 307 newborn babies were followed. Samples of saddles were gathered for microbiological examination, in fixed dates as well as at the time of diarrhoeic episodes. In the maternal milk, the specific antibodies anti-Giardia were searched by YEW TREE indirect. Results showed that the prevalency of antibodies in the milk was of 15,6 %, figure compounding with the local prevalency of the parasite.

This last was found to 36 % children (n=111), among which, 89 % (n=99) had a mother without lacteal specific antibodies. Twenty-four children had acquired the parasitose before the age of 6 months, 23 of them were born in mothers not holders of specific antibodies in the milk and these same small patients had known a more strict diarrhoeia. The statistical analysis by group of age found a significant difference in term of survival in favour of the children born in mothers holders of antibody anti-Giardia in their milk in comparison with other (P=0,036).

The moms holders of these specific antibodies can so protect therefore better their babies, the definite mechanism remaining to explore. Here are additional arguments, over which Lech League would take readily. Psychosocial factors of feeding put to one side, scientific balance leans therefore also on the side of feeding, a fortiori in the disadvantaged countries.