Cryptosporidiosis

Abstract

Cryptosporidium species represent a genus of parasitic protozoa (Apicomplexa) that are transmitted via the faecal-oral route and commonly infect the epithelial tissues of the gastric or intestinal (or sometimes the respiratory) tract of many vertebrates, including humans. Infection occurs following the ingestion of viable and resistant oocysts, through direct host-to-host contact or in contaminated food, drinking or recreational water. Infection can be transmitted via anthroponotic (human-to-human, human-to-animal) or zoonotic (animal-to-human or animal-to-animal) pathways, depending upon the species of Cryptosporidium. Although infection can be asymptomatic, common symptoms of disease (cryp..