EXPERIMENTAL CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS IN ADULT AND NEONATAL RABBITS

Neonatal and adult New Zealand White rabbits were infected experimenta lly with Cryptosporidium parvum. No histologic evidence of infection w as found in adult rabbits. However, increased levels of anti-cryptospo ridial serum IgG were present, and multiple antigens were detected by serum on immunoblots. In neonates, variably severe, transient infectio n was present from Days 3 to 21 postinoculation, Serum IgG was initial ly elevated, decreased until Day 10 postinoculation, then progressivel y increased for the remainder of the study. A prominent 15 kilodalton antigen was detected on immunoblots using serum obtained on Days 14 un til 28 postinoculation, Neonate anti-cryptosporidial fecal IgA were sl ightly elevated on Days 14 and 21 postinoculation.