BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidium is an important gut microbe whose contributions towards infant and immunocompromise patient mortality rates are steadily increasing. Over the last decade, we have seen the development of various tools and methods for studying Cryptosporidium infection and its interactions with their hosts. One area that is sorely overlooked is the effect infection has on host metabolic processes. RESULTS: Using a 1H nuclear magnetic resonance approach to metabolomics, we have explored the nature of the mouse gut metabolome as well as providing the first insight into the metabolome of an infected cell line. Statistical analysis and predictive modelling demonstrated new understandings of the effects of a Cryptosporidium infection, while verifying the presence of known metabolic changes. Of note is the potential contribution of host derived taurine to the diarrhoeal aspects of the disease previously attributed to a solely parasite-based alteration of the gut environment, in addition to other metabolites involved with host cell catabolism. CONCLUSION: This approach will spearhead our understanding of the Cryptosporidium-host metabolic exchange and provide novel targets for tackling this deadly parasite.

Biomolecular NMR Facility School of Biosciences University of Kent Canterbury UK

Faculty of Agriculture University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice Ceske Budejovice Czech Republic

Institute of Parasitology Biology Centre CAS Ceske Budejovice Czech Republic

Laboratory of Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology RAPID Group School of Biosciences University of Kent Canterbury UK

Present Address Complex Carbohydrate Research Center University of Georgia Athens GA 30602 USA

Present Address School of Chemistry University of Leeds Leeds LS2 9JT UK

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