CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS OF LIVER AND PANCREAS IN RHESUS-MONKEYS WITH EXPERIMENTAL SIV INFECTION

Following an experimental SIV infection, 11 rhesus monkeys were evalua ted to determine the presence of opportunistic infections. Five animal s had severe alterations of the hepatobiliary tree, three of which wer e associated with the presence of numerous Cryptosporidium spp. Subacu te to chronic inflammatory changes were observed in the pancreatic duc ts of four animals, one without histologic evidence of parasites. In o ne animal, the inflamed ducts were associated with a chronic interstit ial pancreatitis. The rate of Cryptosporidium infection together with hepatic and pancreatic involvement (36%) supports the hypothesis that systemic cryptosporidiosis is the result of a loss of protective mucos al immunity.