Immunoelectron-microscopic localization of antigenic sites of cryptosporidium parvum and an assessment of the role of monoclonal antibodies and hyperimmune bovine colostrum in controlling cryptosporidiosis

This paper outlines research to study two aspects of Cryptooridium. First, specific antigenic determinants were identified and followed through the growth cycle of C. parvum to investigate antigenic sharing of molecular epitopes among the different life cycle stages. Secondly, the importance of passive immune protective mechanisms in cryptosporidial infection was assessed by following the course of infection in neonatal mice which have been subjected to treatments using either monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or hyperimmune bovine colostrum.