Childhood cryptosporidiosis is associated with a persistent systemic inflammatory response.
Cryptosporidiosis in young children prompts local inflammation in the intestinal tract. We studied a cohort of young children with cryptosporidiosis to determine whether systemic inflammatory responses occur and, if so, to evaluate whether inflammation persists after infection. Cryptosporidiosis was associated with increased levels of interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor- alpha systemically, which persisted at 6 months after enrollment. The level of intestinal tumor necrosis factor- alpha was elevated at enrollment, but elevated levels did not persist. Worsening of malnutrition, particularly stunting, was observed after infection. The association of cryptosporidiosis, inflammation, and stunting in children with cryptosporidiosis warrants further evaluation.
Kirkpatrick
B D
BD
The University of Vermont College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Unit of Infectious Diseases, Burlington, VT 05405, USA. beth.kirkpatrick@uvm.edu
Noel
Francine
F
Rouzier
Patricia D
PD
Powell
Jan L
JL
Pape
J W
JW
Bois
Grylande
G
Alston
W Kemper
WK
Larsson
Catherine J
CJ
Tenney
Katherine
K
Ventrone
Cassandra
C
Powden
Cheryl
C
Sreenivasan
Meera
M
Sears
Cynthia L
CL
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D007378:Interleukins; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D007371:Interferon-gamma