Cryptosporidiosis of liver and pancreas in rhesus monkeys with experimental SIV infection.

Following an experimental SIV infection, 11 rhesus monkeys were evaluated to determine the presence of opportunistic infections. Five animals had severe alterations of the hepatobiliary tree, three of which were associated with the presence of numerous Cryptosporidium spp. Subacute to chronic inflammatory changes were observed in the pancreatic ducts of four animals, one without histologic evidence of parasites. In one animal, the inflamed ducts were associated with a chronic interstitial pancreatitis. The rate of Cryptosporidium infection together with hepatic and pancreatic involvement (36%) supports the hypothesis that systemic cryptosporidiosis is the result of a loss of protective mucosal immunity.