Gut cells sound the alarm when parasites invade

(University of Pennsylvania) When the parasite Cryptosporidium enters the body, it's cells in the intestines that first recognize the invader, triggering an early immune response, according to a new study led by a team from the University of Pennsylvania. A leading cause of diarrheal disease in young children globally, the parasite generates an inflammatory response beginning in the intestines that exacerbates the effects of malnutrition.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news