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A new method to replace oral gavage for the study of Cryptosporidium infection in mice
Fernanda G Fumuso1, Christine E Salomon2, Roberta M O'Connor1
1Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, USA.
Abstract:
Oral gavage is a widely used method to infect mice with Cryptosporidium parvum (CP), the most common animal model of infection. Cryptosporidium spp. are worldwide distributed, gastrointestinal parasites that mainly cause diarrhea in humans and neonatal ruminants. CP is transmitted via the fecal-oral route, usually through contaminated water. In rodent models of Cryptosporidium infection, oral gavage is used as the route of infection. This method, while effective, induces a generalized stress response and requires specific skills and experience. Our aim was to replace oral gavage by a refined method using a mixture palatable to mice, where oocysts could be mixed in. A peanut butter gelatin mix (PBG) containing CP oocysts was developed and used for voluntary oral infection of mice. We were able to confirm CP infections in young interferon-gamma knock out mice by detecting oocyst shedding in feces, demonstrating that the PBG method successfully produced infections similar to those obtain through oral gavage, and could be used for other pathogens or as a method to deliver experimental therapeutics or other substances.
Insights
Researchers developed a palatable peanut butter gelatin mix to infect mice with Cryptosporidium parvum (CP). This voluntary oral infection method avoids the stress of oral gavage, proving effective for CP studies and potentially other applications.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Infectious Disease Modeling
Background:
- Cryptosporidium parvum (CP) is a common gastrointestinal parasite causing diarrhea in humans and animals.
- Oral gavage is the standard method for infecting rodent models with CP, but it causes stress and requires expertise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a refined, less stressful method for orally infecting mice with CP.
- To establish a voluntary infection model using a palatable substance.
Main Methods:
- A peanut butter gelatin (PBG) mixture was formulated to contain CP oocysts.
- Mice were allowed to voluntarily consume the PBG mixture for oral infection.
Main Results:
- CP infections were successfully established in mice, confirmed by oocyst shedding in feces.
- The PBG method demonstrated efficacy comparable to oral gavage for CP infection.
Conclusions:
- The PBG voluntary oral infection method is a viable alternative to oral gavage for CP studies in mice.
- This refined method holds potential for infecting animals with other pathogens or delivering therapeutics.
