Giardia and Giardiasis, Volume 106 in Advances in Parasitology series includes in the first part aspects of molecular and cellular biology of Giardia and the role of particular molecules or molecular groups in essential functions and/or trafficking in the parasite. These approaches are with the aim to explore how this parasite adapts to an ever-changing environment both within and outside of the host animal. Subsequently a comprehensive description of virulence factors secreted by Giardia, are reviewed on their cytotoxic mechanisms and roles in the pathophysiology of giardiasis, and also a description on the potential of these secreted molecules as targets for drugs is included. In the context of the immuno-pathogenesis of giardiasis a review on the data and information on innate and adaptive immunity to Giardia, is included as well as a discussion on how improved knowledge of immunity is advancing our understanding of the pathogenesis and clinical outcomes of giardiasis. The final part of this volume includes a review of the epidemiology of giardiasis in a veterinary context using molecular tools together with a discussion of the current status of the species and assemblages of Giardia, and issues surrounding the assignment of host specificity and the zoonotic potential using current molecular markers.

Giardia and Giardiasis Volume 107-Part B, in the Advances in Parasitology series, is dedicated to aspects of cytoskeletal structure of this parasite with an emphasis on insights of new components and their function in trophozoites. Further, microtubule function and its critical involvement in motility, attachment, mitosis and cell division as well as in transitions between developmental stages are reviewed. Also a comprehensive revision in the progress of tools to explore and understand the functional biology of Giardia, its coding and non-coding genes, features and cellular and molecular biology is contained in this volume. Additionally, an exciting perspective on the interactions between Giardia and intestinal epithelial cell by reviewing transcriptomic and proteomic investigations is included along with a state-of-the art of the understanding pathophysiology of giardiasis and of how Giardia can cause post-infectious and extra-intestinal complications. A complete review of current knowledge including commonly prescribed drugs, causes of therapeutic fails, drug resistance mechanisms, strategies for the discovery of new agents for alternative drug therapies is covered.