Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cryptosporidium - An update with an emphasis on foodborne and waterborne transmission.
- Journal:
- Research in veterinary science
- Year:
- 2020
- Authors:
- Zahedi, Alireza & Ryan, Una
- Affiliation:
- College of Science · Australia
Plain-English summary
Cryptosporidiosis is an illness caused by a tiny parasite called Cryptosporidium, which can lead to severe diarrhea in both people and animals. The parasite is tough and can survive in water, making it a common cause of outbreaks linked to drinking water and food. The two main types that affect humans are C. hominis, which is mostly found in water, and C. parvum, which is more often linked to food. Unfortunately, there are no vaccines and only a few treatments available, making it hard to control the spread of this disease. To better manage and reduce infections, it's important to improve farming practices and work together across veterinary and public health systems.
Abstract
Cryptosporidiosis, caused by parasite species of the genus Cryptosporidium, is a major diarrhoeal disease in both people and animals globally, with C. hominis and C. parvum the main species infecting humans. Environmentally robust oocysts which are shed in high numbers in the faeces of infected individuals are resistant to disinfectants, including levels of chlorine normally used in drinking water. As a result, Cryptosporidium is a major cause of waterborne and foodborne outbreaks. Interestingly, C. hominis is responsible for the majority of waterborne outbreaks typed to date with C. parvum responsible for the majority of foodborne outbreaks. No vaccine and few treatments are currently available, which has greatly limited control of this disease to date. Livestock are both an important reservoir and source of human infections and improved husbandry and management practices as well as a One Health integrated molecular typing approach across both veterinary and public health systems are essential to improve our ability to control this disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32805698/