title: Experimental Cryptosporidium parvum infections in opossums (Didelphis virginiana).
abstract: Five nursing opossums (Didelphis virginiana) were each inoculated with 5 x 10(6) Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts of calf origin. Following inoculation, endogenous stages of C. parvum were observed in the ileum, cecum, and colon of these opossums. Two of three noninoculated pouch mates acquired infections during the study based on examinations of feces and tissue sections of all eight opossums. Mild diarrhea was observed in four of seven opossums harboring C. parvum, although none died as a result of the infection. Under the conditions of this study, C. parvum appeared to be only mildly pathogenic for opossums.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Alabama 36849.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Lindsay
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hendrix
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Blagburn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002432:Cecum / Q000469:parasitology; D003044:Coccidia / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D003106:Colon / Q000469:parasitology; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D007082:Ileum / Q000469:parasitology; D009893:Opossums / Q000469:parasitology*