MUC5AC and infection: In addition, alterations to the mucus barrier as a result of mucin degradation and altered mucus production and secretion during infection may further enhance barrier dysfunction (Amat et al., 2017) Thus, bacteria-driven inflammation may be perpetuated even after parasite clearance, which may contribute to development of post-infectious intestinal disorders (Chen et al., 2013; Singer et al., 2019).