title: Persistent cryptosporidiosis in horses with severe combined immunodeficiency.
abstract: Cryptosporidial infections were established in five young foals with severe combined immunodeficiency following oral administration of 10(8) Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. All foals shed oocysts (average of 8 x 10(6) to 2 x 10(8)/g of feces) until death. Inflammation and C. parvum organisms were observed in the common bile duct, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Since foals with severe combined immunodeficiency lack functional T and B lymphocytes and are incapable of antigen-specific immune responses, they are well suited for evaluating the pathogenesis and treatment of persistent cryptosporidiosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-7040.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bjorneby
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Leach
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Perryman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D006734:Horse Diseases; D006736:Horses; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*