Genève Allison, B. A., Biology, Harvard-Radcliffe College
Cambridge, MA,
M.D., University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
Postdoctoral Fellow
E-mail: gallison@tufts-nemc.org

Despite recognition of the importance of immune status in cryptosporidiosis, the correlates of protective immunity in humans are poorly understood. Knowledge of naturally acquired immunity to specific Cryptosporidium spp. antigens is essential to design strategies to prevent or control disease caused by this parasite. My research focuses on humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in natural Cryptosporidium infections in humans. I am focusing on the role that diversity in C. parvum and C. hominis gp40/15 plays in acquired immunity. By studying Bangladeshi children with cryptosporidiosis, we have documented specific serum antibody responses to C. hominis and C. parvum p gp15. I am cloning and expressing several polymorphic variants of C. hominis gp40 derived from clinical isolates and plan to assess the systemic and mucosal antibody response to these variants in patients infected with Cryptosporidium. I am also assessing memory T cell responses to Cryptosporidium.