Helicobacter felis as a Cofactor Alone or Together with Stress in Cryptosporidial Activation in Mice

Abstract

Cryptosporidiosis is caused by a protozoan parasite, mainly found in animals, which usually results in transient, mild gastroenteritis in humans but can cause severe and prolonged disease in immunocompromised individuals. Immunocompetent mice, naturally infected with Cryptosporidium muris, were used to investigate the effects of inoculation with Helicobacter felis and of stress on the activity of the C. muris infection, as indicated by histopathological examination of their stomachs. The results indicate that both H. felis inoculation and/or stress activate C. muris and cause gastric inflammation. The extent of the activation of C. muris depends on the duration of the stress.