MYELOPEROXIDASE AS A BIOMARKER FOR GUT-BRAIN AXIS DYSFUNCTION INDUCED BY MALNUTRITION AND CRYPTOSPORIDIUM INFECTION IN WEANLING MICE

Cryptosporidiosis is a waterborne protozoal infection transmitted by fecal-oral contact, which has been associated with life-threatening chronic diarrhea in immunocompromised individuals and with stunted growth in children (even without overt diarrhea) living in unsanitary environments, especially in the developing world. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a well-known neutrophil-related tissue factor that is released during enteropathy that may lead to gut-derived brain inflammation.