Effect of low pH on the morphology and viability of Cryptosporidium andersoni sporozoites and histopathology in the stomachs of infected mice

►Cryptosporidium andersoni parasites cannot survive in the acidic stomach for long before invading host cells and preferentially develop in sites of neutral mucopolysaccharide in gastric foveolae but not on the surface of the gastric mucosa, resulting in chronic shedding of oocysts and intestinal metaplasia. ►No parasites were detected in the areas with increased acidic mucin and indications of metaplasia. ► The neutral mucosa in gastric foveolae, serving to protect the host epithelial cells, might be vital for infection by C. andersoni.