The Journal of Medical Microbiology, Vol 47, Issue 1 71-77, Copyright © 1998 by Society for General Microbiology
Cryptosporidium parvum biliary tract infection in adult immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice
R. Verdon, J. Polianski, A. Grodet, L. Garry and C. Carbon
Service de Reanimation Medicale et Maladies Infectieuses, CHU Cote de Nacre, Caen, France.
Biliary tract infection by Cryptosporidium parvum is a frequent
complication of intestinal cryptosporidiosis in immunosuppressed patients.
Although biliary tract infection can be produced in immunosuppressed models
as a late complication of intestinal infection, there is no infection model
in immunocompetent animals. A murine model of biliary tract
cryptosporidiosis was developed by direct intra-gall bladder injection of
C. parvum oocysts. In adult immunocompetent mice, intracellular parasitic
stages were detected in the epithelium of the common bile duct in all
animals on day 7 post-inoculation (p.i.). These findings were associated
with a strong inflammatory reaction. Infection was cleared between days 14
and 21 p.i. All animals developed significant levels of specific serum and
bile IgG, IgA and IgM. Dexamethasone treatment resulted in the inability of
animals to eradicate the parasite and the establishment of ileal
parasitism. This model can be used to study the immunological mechanisms
involved in the control of biliary cryptosporidiosis.
