Effects of dexamethasone and dehydroepiandrosterone in immunosuppressed rats infected with Cryptosporidium parvum. |
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Authors: | K R Rasmussen E G Martin M J Arrowood M C Healey |
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Affiliation: | Utah State University, Logan 84322. |
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Abstract: | Treatment of rats immunosuppressed with dexamethasone and inoculated with Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts were treated with dehydroepiandrosterone. A significant reduction in cryptosporidial activity was observed as determined by oocyst shedding and colonization of host tissue by parasites. Dexamethasone treatment alone resulted in decreases in T-, B- and natural killer (NK) cell responses and antibody production that, with the exception of NK-cell activity, were all reversed after administration of dehydroepiandrosterone. |
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