SPECIFIC INTERFERON-GAMMA, IGA AND IGM RESPONSES AFTER EXPERIMENTAL-INFECTION OF NEONATAL CALVES WITH CRYPTOSPORIDIUM-PARVUM

The in viiro interferon-gamma production by peripheral blood mononucle ar cells and the local antibody build up was monitored in neonatal cal ves experimentally infected with Cryptosporidium parvum and in negativ e controls of the same age. From day 6 p.i. on, an infection-induced i nterferon-gamma response was observed in lymphocyte cultures after sti mulation with Cryptosporidium oocyst antigen preparation. Only the Cry ptosporidium-infected calves developed local IgA and IgM responses fro m day 6 p.i. on, with peak values at day 10 p.i. These antibodies disa ppeared quickly, perhaps due to the strict hygienic measures and conse quently the absence of a continuous antigenic stimulation. Copyright ( C) 1997 Australian Society for Parasitology. Published by Elsevier Sci ence Ltd.