Cultivation of Cryptosporidium baileyi: Studies with Cell Cultures, Avian Embryos, and Pathogenicity of Chicken Embryo-Passaged Oocysts

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Abstract
Sporozoites of Cryptosporidium baileyi did not undergo development in primary cell cultures from either avian or mammalian hosts, or in mammalian cell lines. Oocyts of C. baileyi produced infections resulting in complete development to sporulated oocysts in chicken embryos and embryos of 8 other avian species [Meleagris gallopavo, Anas platyrhynchos, Cairina moschata, Alectoris graeca, Numida meleagris, phasianus colchicus, Colinus virginianus, and Coturnix coturnix] examined. Inoculation of 4 x 105 oocysts was not pathogenic for avian embryos as evidenced by the lack of gross lesions or death. Oocysts obtained after C. baileyi had been passaged 10 times (first experiment) or 20 times (second experiment) in chicken embryos still caused clinical respiratory disease and gross airsacculitis when inoculated intratracheally into 2-day-old broiler chickens. Oocysts that had been passaged 10 times in chicken embryos were similarly pathogenic for 4-day-old turkeys after intratracheal inoculation.