Abstract

ZANARO, Noemí Luján  and  GARBOSSA, Graciela. Cryptosporidium: after a hundred years. Acta bioquím. clín. latinoam. [online]. 2008, vol.42, n.2, pp.195-201. ISSN 0325-2957.

A hundred years after its discovery and after almost three decades of intense research, Cryptosporidium, in many ways, remains enigmatic. Taxonomically, it belongs to phylum Apicomplexa and like other enteric coccidian of vertebrates, it has a monoxenous life cycle that is primarily completed within the gastrointestinal tract of a single host. There are, however, many unique features that distinguish Cryptosporidium from other coccidia. This review discusses some taxonomic aspects; it also describes its life cycle as well as some epidemiological facts, the symptomatology of the disease and different detection and identification methods. Treatment and prevention of the transmission of this emerging pathogen of veterinary significance and public health relevance are also discussed.

Keywords : Cryptosporidium; Ttaxonomy; Life cycle; Epidemiology; Symptomatology; Detection; Identification; Treatment; Prevention.

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