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ENHANCED PRODUCTION OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM PARVUM OOCYSTS IN IMMUNOSUPPRESSED MICE
Citation:
Cicmanec*, J L. AND D J. Reasoner*. ENHANCED PRODUCTION OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM PARVUM OOCYSTS IN IMMUNOSUPPRESSED MICE. 1997 International Symposium on Waterborne Cryptosporidium Proceedings, Newport Beach, CA, 3/2-5/1997.
Description:
Recently there has been an increase in the need for fresh C. parvum oocysts for engineering and biomedical research applications. In our laboratory the emphsis has shifted from the use of dairy calves to inbred C57BL/67n mice, primarily for reasons of ease of collection and processing of feces. The autthors have modified the procedures described by Yang and Healey and those described by Petry, et al. Dexamethasone phosphate (30 ug/ml) is administered via the drinking water on alternate days and begins seven days before oral dosing with oocysts. This method differs from Yang and Healey in that dexamethasone is given on alternate days and our method differs from Petry, et al., in that much lower doses of dexamethasone are used. In ddition, tetracycline is administered in the drinking water as a prophylactic antibiotic on alternate days when dexamethasone is not given. Survival of the mice is enhanced (85% survival vs 10% survival without tetracycline) as days after administration of oocysts. Collection of feces begins 3 days post-inoculation and continues as long as high yields justify collection (1 x 10(8) oocysts/day from 10 mice). This yield is approximately the same as one calf but extends for a longer collection period. In addition, the use of mice provides greater flexibility for scheduling oocyst production and use.