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. 1988 May;26(5):1037–1039. doi: 10.1128/jcm.26.5.1037-1039.1988

Rat model for human cryptosporidiosis.

P Brasseur 1, D Lemeteil 1, J J Ballet 1
PMCID: PMC266513  PMID: 3384895

Abstract

Effective treatment for Cryptosporidium infection in immunocompromised patients has yet to be found. We report a rodent model of persistent Cryptosporidium infection. Sprague-Dawley rats were injected subcutaneously twice a week for 8 weeks with 25 mg of hydrocortisone acetate. Fed a regular low-protein diet for 9 weeks, they were challenged once with 10(5) calf Cryptosporidium oocysts 5 weeks after the start of the hydrocortisone acetate regimen. Oocyst shedding was evaluated in feces daily by using a carbolfuchsin-staining method. Rats shed oocysts from days 2 to 9 after ingestion and developed a persistent infection for more than 38 days. Excretion was lower after subsequent parasite challenges, suggesting that a degree of protection developed progressively. The results suggest that this experimental model provides a procedure for screening candidate therapeutic agents.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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