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Cryptosporidium infections have been associated with growth stunting, even in the absence of diarrhea. Having previously detailed the effects of protein deficiency on both microbiome and metabolome in this model, we now describe the specific gut microbial and biochemical effects of Cryptosporidium infection. Protein-deficient mice were infected with Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts for 6-13 days and compared with uninfected controls. Following infection, there was an increase in the urinary excretion of choline- and amino-acid-derived metabolites. Conversely, infection reduced the excretion of the microbial-host cometabolite (3-hydroxyphenyl)propionate-sulfate and disrupted metabolites involved in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Correlation analysis of microbial and biochemical profiles resulted in associations between various microbiota members and TCA cycle metabolites, as well as some microbial-specific degradation products. However, no correlation was observed between the majority of the infection-associated metabolites and the fecal bacteria, suggesting that these biochemical perturbations are independent of concurrent changes in the relative abundance of members of the microbiota. We conclude that cryptosporidial infection in protein-deficient mice can mimic some metabolic changes seen in malnourished children and may help elucidate our understanding of long-term metabolic consequences of early childhood enteric infections., (© The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Several biochemical and anthropometric tests were used to define the states of mild or moderate protein-energy malnutrition among 810 children aged under five years in the forest region of Southern Cameroon. The results show that the percentage and the identity of children classified as undernourished may be different according to the anthropometric test employed. The mean values of most of the biochemical variables assayed decrease in the groups affected with moderate weight and arm deficiencies. A system is proposed for the evaluation of the nutritional status based on the simultaneous use of four anthropometric tests. Some biochemical parameters may be useful for establishing a diagnosis.