Similar to amoebiasis, upon Cryptosporidium infection, epithelial cells release pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ) and chemokines (C-X-C and fractalkine) to the site of infection, which in turn may contribute to increased epithelial permeability, impaired intestinal absorption and enhanced secretion (Seydel et al., 1998a; Farthing, 2000; Lacroix-Lamandé et al., 2002). This evidence concerns the gene TNF and infection.