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Prevalence and risk factors for cryptosporidiosis: a global, emerging, neglected zoonosis

Pwaveno Huladeino Bamaiyi
Pwaveno Huladeino Bamaiyi
 and 
Nur Eliyana Mohd Redhuan
Nur Eliyana Mohd Redhuan
   | Jan 31, 2017
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Article Category: Review article
Published Online: Jan 31, 2017
Page range: 309 - 325
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5372/1905-7415.1004.493
Keywords
© 2016 Pwaveno Huladeino Bamaiyi, Nur Eliyana Mohd Redhuan
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Background

Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the important parasitic diarrheal agent Cryptosporidium spp. Cryptosporidiosis occurs in all classes of animals and man with a rapidly expanding host range and increased importance since the occurrence of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in man.

Objectives

To review the global picture of cryptosporidiosis in man and animals with emphasis on prevalence and risk factors.

Methods

Current relevant literature on cryptosporidiosis was reviewed.

Results

Cryptosporidiosis is widely distributed and the risk factors vary from one region to another with hygiene and immune status as important risk factors.

Conclusions

Cryptosporidium spp. associated mortality has not only been reported in immune-compromised patients, but also in immune-competent patients. Yet in many countries not much attention is paid to the control and prevention of this infection in animals and man. The neglect of this disease despite the serious threat it poses to animals, their husbandry, and humans, has led the World Health Organization to list it among globally neglected diseases. To control and prevent this infection more effort needs to be directed at controlling the risk factors of the infection in man and animals.

eISSN:
1875-855X
Language:
English
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Journal Subjects:
Medicine, Assistive Professions, Nursing, Basic Medical Science, other, Clinical Medicine
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