Biliary tract cryptosporidiosis in an immunosuppressed rat model

Abstract Rats immunosuppressed by hydrocortisone acetate and a low protein diet were challenged with Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts and studied on days 10, 35 and 70 post-infection. The biliary tract was found to be a major site of parasite infection. C. parvum was visible in the biliary papillary area in association with a proliferation of highly convoluted tubular glands. The papillary lumen was narrowed, and an upstream dilatation with bacterial proliferation was seen. The liver was initially free of lesions, and subsequently exhibited late lesions of cholestasis. Parasites were not found in the pancreatic duct, although pancreatitis was frequently observed. Oocysts were consistently present in the distal portion of the ileum. Both challenged and unchallenged immunosuppressed rats, exhibited widespread focal hepatic infarcts and pyelonephritis. Other organs appeared free of lesions. In addition to the intestine, data identified the biliary tract as a major site of C. parvum infection and as a potential protected reservoir which may sustain a chronic infection.