Increased susceptibility of beta7-integrin-deficient neonatal mice in the early stage of Cryptosporidium parvum infection.

Numerous inflammatory cells are recruited in response to Cryptosporidium parvum infection. These cells include interferon gamma-producing T lymphocytes, which are of major importance for the resolution of infection. Here, we show that beta7 integrin is not essential for the control of infection in mice but that beta7-deficient neonatal mice are more susceptible during the early stages of infection.