Cryptosporidiosis: Neglected Zoonosis of Global Importance

Abstract

Cryptosporidiosis is an important parasitic food and water born disease that distributed globally. It caused by protozoan pathogen belong to the genus Cryptosporidium, that infect human and different animal species Including mammals, fish, birds, rodents, reptiles, and amphibians. Although the parasites provide morphological similarity, recent molecular data identified 45 species and more than 120 genotypes of Cryptosporidium in different hosts. Some identified species are host specific while others have been isolated from different hosts. Among the valid species 15 of them can be source for human infection. Species belong to the genus Cryptosporidium spp. have monoxenous life cycle, and the feco-oral route is the common transmission mode. Within host Cryptosporidium parasitize intestinal epithelial cells. The parasites pass through complex cycle including sexual and asexual reproduction within a single host, finally two types of oocysts are formed the thin-walled oocysts are source of reinfection, and the thick-walled oocysts are shed in the feces to the environment, which are infective directly after being shed and cause infection. Cryptosporidiosis mainly associated with gastrointestinal illness, watery diarrhea and weakness are the obvious clinical symptoms, although respiratory cryptosporidiosis rarely occurs in immunocompromised individuals. The available techniques for diagnosing of Cryptosporidium infection were based on the detection of the oocysts including conventional and recent molecular procedures. Currently nitazoxanide has been approved for treatment of cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidiosis denotes the major public health concern especially in developing countries. Animals including livestock and carnivores are significant reservoir for Cryptosporidium species with zoonotic potential. The resistant oocyst can survive in the environment for months under cool and wet conditions. Watter supply management can reduce the risk of Cryptosporidiosis out breck, also practicing of personal hygiene is a proper control measure.