Effect of Cryptosporidium parvum infection on the absorptive capacity and paracellular permeability of the small intestine in neonatal calves

Abstract

Cryptosporidium parvum is recognized as one of the most important pathogens causing enteritis and severe diarrhoea in calves up to 1 month of age. Although the infection may be responsible for some mortality, its impact is mainly associated with the impairment of intestinal functions and lower performance of animals. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cryptosporidiosis on the intestinal functions in neonatal experimentally infected Holstein calves. Absorption tests with d-xylose and retinyl-palmitate, and the lactulose/mannitol test of intestinal permeability were simultaneously performed in 1-week intervals from challenge to full recovery. In infected animals, reduced intestinal absorptive capacity for both D-xylose and retinyl-palmitate was observed on day 7 post-infection (p.i.). At the same time, a more than 100% elevation of intestinal permeability was observed in the infected calves. All intestinal functions, except absorption of retinyl-palmitate, were significantly affected and changes were detected up to day 14 p.i. In contrast, results of all tests obtained on day 21 p.i. suggest full recovery of the infected intestine. Significantly, growth of the calves which had recovered from cryptosporidiosis was still affected between days 14 and 21 p.i.

Glucagon-like peptide 2 and its beneficial effects on gut function and health in production animals

“…Use of GLP-2 as a pre-infection therapeutic for Cryptosporidium parvum C parvum is a highly infectious and zoonotic protozoan parasite present in all calf populations [111]. Infection typically causes transient, mild-to-moderate diarrhea, which may impair growth performance and increase susceptibility to other infections of the gut mucosa [112]. Infection and inflammation damage enterocyte membranes, reducing nutrient absorption and barrier function, and cause disruption of tight junctions [112], microvillous atrophy, and loss of brush-border enzymes needed to facilitate digestion [113].…”

“…Infection typically causes transient, mild-to-moderate diarrhea, which may impair growth performance and increase susceptibility to other infections of the gut mucosa [112]. Infection and inflammation damage enterocyte membranes, reducing nutrient absorption and barrier function, and cause disruption of tight junctions [112], microvillous atrophy, and loss of brush-border enzymes needed to facilitate digestion [113]. Many opportunities exist to apply GLP-2 as a pre or postinfection therapeutic for infection, including GLP-2's effects on increasing mucin production, villus length, and tight junction protein expression to defend against parasitic invasion, as well as reducing nitro-oxidative stress, improving gut healing, and enhancing expression and activity of brush-border enzymes impacted by C parvum infection.…”

The efficacy of a combination of azithromycin and toltrazuril for the treatment of calves naturally infected with cryptosporidiosis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled comparative clinical trial

“…Evidently, this combination reduced the time needed for healing of microvillus damage that causes impaired intestinal absorption. Normally, a time period of two weeks or longer is needed to repair such inflammatory damage in cryptosporidiosis (Fahey 2003;Klein et al 2008). To our knowledge, therefore, the combination of azithromycin and toltrazuril seems to be the best treatment option for cryptosporidiosis in calves.…”

Cryptosporidiosis in Goats: a Review

“…The characteristic diarrhoea results from maldigestion and malabsorption owing to the reduction in both enzymatic action and absorptive area in the gastrointestinal tract due to diminution of microvilli and destruction of intestinal epithelia by the parasite. The mucosal damage inflicted by Cryptosporidium is linked with increase in paracellular permeability of the gastrointestinal tract and destruction of the functional mucosal barrier system (Klein et al, 2008).…”

“…Histological examination may show stunting and fusion of villi as well as replacement of enterocytes by immature cells. The characteristic oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp are seen on the microvillar epithelium of jejunum and ileum (Klein et al, 2008).…”