Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha and Interleukin 1β in Jejuna of Volunteers after Experimental Challenge with <i>Cryptosporidium parvum</i> Correlates with Exposure but Not with Symptoms

Abstract

Jejunal biopsies from volunteers challenged with Cryptosporidium parvum were examined for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin (IL)-1 beta mRNA. Postchallenge biopsies from 15 of 28 (54%) volunteers expressed TNF-alpha; 14% expressed IL-1 beta. Cytokine expression did not correlate with enteric symptoms, suggesting that TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta are not key mediators of diarrhea in human cryptosporidiosis.