Poly(I:C)-induced protection of neonatal mice against intestinal Cryptosporidium parvum infection requires an additional TLR5 signal provided by the gut flora.

The neonatal intestinal immune system is still undergoing development at birth, leading to a higher susceptibility to mucosal infections. In this study, we investigated the effect of poly(I:C) on controlling enteric infection by the protozoan Cryptosporidium parvum in neonatal mice. After poly(I:C) administration, a rapid reduction in parasite burden was observed and proved to be dependent on CD11c(+) cells and TLR3/TRIF signaling.

Efficacy of amine-based disinfectant KENO™COX on the infectivity of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts.

Cryptosporidium parvum is a zoonotic protozoan parasite that may cause severe neonatal diarrhoea or even mortality in newborn ruminants: its oocysts are extremely resistant to normal environmental conditions and to most common disinfectants. KENO™COX, a patent pending amine-based formula, was tested for its ability to inactivate C. parvum oocysts.

Neonate intestinal immune response to CpG oligodeoxynucleotide stimulation.

Background: The development of mucosal vaccines is crucial to efficiently control infectious agents for which mucosae are the primary site of entry. Major drawbacks of these protective strategies are the lack of effective mucosal adjuvant. Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides that contain several unmethylated cytosine-guanine dinucleotide (CpG-ODN) motifs are now recognized as promising adjuvants displaying mucosal adjuvant activity through direct activation of TLR9-expressing cells.

CCR5 is involved in controlling the early stage of Cryptosporidium parvum infection in neonates but is dispensable for parasite elimination.

Chemokines play a critical role in immune cell trafficking and the transition from an innate to an acquired immune response. We analyzed host response in neonatal mice deficient in chemokine receptor CCR5 following infection with the intracellular protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum. CCR5 neonatal mice had a higher parasite burden at the early stage of infection but eliminated the parasite as efficiently as their wild-type counterparts.

Involvement of intestinal epithelial cells in dendritic cell recruitment during C. parvum infection.

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in activating and orientating immune responses. Little is currently known about DC recruitment during Cryptosporidium parvum infection. In the intestine, epithelial cells act as sensors, providing the first signals in response to infection by enteric pathogens.