Pathogenesis of Cryptosporidium parvum infection

Cryptosporidium parvum can be regarded as a minimally invasive mucosal path ogen, since it invades surface epithelial cells that line the intestinal tr act but does not invade deeper layers of the intestinal mucosa. Nonetheless , infection can be associated with diarrhea and marked mucosal inflammation . This article briefly reviews in vitro and in vivo models useful for study ing the pathogenesis of C. parvum infection and explores the role of innate and acquired immune responses in host defense against this protozoan paras ite. (C) Elsevier, Paris.