CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS-INDUCED IMPAIRMENT OF ION-TRANSPORT AND NA-GLUCOSE ABSORPTION IN ADULT IMMUNOCOMPROMISED MICE()

Electrolyte transport was investigated during chronic cryptosporidiosi s in adult anti-interferon-gamma-treated SCID mice by means of Ussing chamber techniques. In basal conditions, infection of immunocompromise d mice with Cryptosporidium parvum resulted in a 30% reduction (P <.05 ) in the ileal short-circuit (Isc) current related to a 28% reduction (P <.05) in tissue conductance compared with controls. The rises in Is c and transepithelial potential difference induced by glucose (10 mM) were significantly reduced by Cryptosporidium infection (P <.01) compa red with controls. In contrast, responses to mucosal glutamine were ma rginally affected, Electrical parameters of the ileum were not affecte d by the addition of indomethacin or furosemide, in either control or Cryptosporidium-infected mice. Thus, long-term cryptosporidiosis in im munocompromised animals leads to a reduction in net ion exchanges, dec reased paracellular shunting, and impaired Na+-glucose cotransport in the ileum, without prostanoid- or enterotoxin-mediated electrogenic Cl - secretion.