ARS | Publication request: Experimental infection with Cryptosporidium parvum IIaA21G1R1 subtype in immunosuppressed mice

Submitted to: Veterinary Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: June 25, 2012
Publication Date: July 2, 2012
Citation: Del Coco, V., Cordoba, M., Sidoti, A., Santin, M., Drut, R., Basualdo, J. 2012. Experimental infection with Cryptosporidium parvum IIaA21G1R1 subtype in immunosuppressed mice. Veterinary Parasitology. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.06.033

Interpretive Summary: Cryptosporidiosis is an intestinal parasitic disease of humans and animals that is caused by protozoa in the genus Cryptosporidium. In this study immunosuppressed mice were used as an animal model to study infection with Cryptosporidium parvum. Cryptosporidium was observed throughout the small intestine (duodenum, proximal and distal jejunum, ileum), cecum and colon, with the small intestine remaining infected until day 35 post infection. In the proximal jejunum an inverse correlation between infection and programmed cell death (apoptosis) was observed. This is the first Cryptosporidium mouse model in which the relationship between infection and apoptosis has been studied at each portion of the gut in order to observe this dynamic in chronic cryptosporidiosis. Our data suggests that the jejunum could be the best intestinal area to carry out further studies on the dynamics of Cryptosporidium infection and apoptosis. Based on these findings, this mouse model appears useful for evaluating clinical, parasitological and histological aspects of C. parvum infection. This information should be useful to other scientists and veterinarians.

Technical Abstract: Cryptosporidium parvum subtype IIaA21G1R1 oocysts were used to infect dexamethasone immunosuppressed N: NIH Swiss mice. Histology showed developmental stages in the duodenum, proximal and distal jejunum, ileum, cecum and colon, with the small intestine remaining infected until day 35 post infection. At proximal jejunum an inverse correlation between infection and apoptosis was observed at days 28 y 35 p.i. This is the first Cryptosporidium mouse model in which the relationship between infection and apoptosis has been histologically studied at each portion of the gut in order to observe this dynamic in chronic cryptosporidiosis. Data suggests that jejunum could be an interesting place to carry out further studies on the dynamics of Cryptosporidium infection and apoptosis. Based on these findings, this mouse model using immunosupressed N:NIH Swiss mice was useful to evaluate clinical, parasitological and histological aspects of C. parvum subtype IIaA21G1R1 infection.