Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Sci Total Environ 2019 Mar 28;674:300-306. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Building 62, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Acton, Canberra 2602, Australia.

Scientists have long predicted the impacts of climate-related infectious disease emergence. Yet, the combined effect of local socioeconomic and demographic factors and weather variation on child health is poorly understood. With a focus on childhood diarrhoea caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium spp. Read More

Gut Pathog 2019 3;11:13. Epub 2019 Apr 3.

1Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.

Background: is an important gut microbe whose contributions towards infant and immunocompromise patient mortality rates are steadily increasing. Over the last decade, we have seen the development of various tools and methods for studying infection and its interactions with their hosts. One area that is sorely overlooked is the effect infection has on host metabolic processes. Read More

Eur J Protistol 2019 Mar 26;69:70-87. Epub 2019 Mar 26.

Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic. Electronic address:

Cryptosporidiosis is a common parasitic infection in birds that is caused by more than 25 Cryptosporidium species and genotypes. Many of the genotypes that cause avian cryptosporidiosis are poorly characterized. The genetic and biological characteristics of avian genotype III are described here and these data support the establishment of a new species, Cryptosporidium proventriculi. Read More

Parasitol Res 2019 Apr 12. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

Department and Clinic of Tropical and Parasitic Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Przybyszewskiego Street, 60-355, Poznań, Poland.

Protozoa of the genus Cryptosporidium are common parasites of domestic and wild animals-mammals, birds, reptiles, and fishes. The invasive forms are thick-walled oocysts, which can be present in water supplies, on fruits, vegetables, or in the soil contaminated with feces. In this work, we describe three cases of middle-aged persons with massive Cryptosporidium hominis infection and chronic diarrhea with no immunological abnormalities and no history of previous travels to tropical countries. Read More

Pathogens 2019 Apr 7;8(2). Epub 2019 Apr 7.

Mikrobiologisches Institut-Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.

Apicomplexan parasites are protozoan organisms that are characterised by complex life cycles and they include medically important species, such as the malaria parasite and the causative agents of toxoplasmosis () and cryptosporidiosis ( spp.). Apicomplexan parasites can infect one or more hosts, in which they differentiate into several morphologically and metabolically distinct life cycle stages. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2019 Mar 31;12(3). Epub 2019 Mar 31.

Department of Gastroenterology, Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon, India.

Common variable immunodeficiency syndrome (CVID) is a heterogeneous disorder characterised by diminished levels of IgG, IgA and/or IgM, and recurrent bacterial infections. Sinopulmonary infections are most commonly reported followed by gastrointestinal (GI) infections. GI tract represents the largest immune organ with abundance of lymphoid cells, its involvement can manifest variably ranging from asymptomatic involvement to florid symptoms and signs. Read More

Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019 Mar 20. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. Electronic address:

Protozoans of the genus Cryptosporidium are the causative agent of the gastrointestinal disease, cryptosporidiosis, which can be fatal in immunocompromised individuals. Cryptosporidium hominis (C. hominis) bifunctional thymidylate synthase-dihydrofolate reductase (TS-DHFR) is an essential enzyme in the folate biosynthesis pathway and a molecular target for inhibitor design. Read More

Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2019 Jan 10;15:100262. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, St. George's, Grenada.

Cryptosporidium spp. is a protozoan parasite that causes enteric infection in a wide range of hosts, including livestock and humans. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. Read More

Int J Food Microbiol 2019 Jun 16;298:31-38. Epub 2019 Mar 16.

Laboratory of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization - DEMETER, 57001 Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address:

Marine bivalve shellfish are of public health interest because they can accumulate pollutants in their tissues. As they are usually consumed raw or lightly cooked, they are considered to be a possible source of foodborne infections, including giardiosis and cryptosporidiosis. Although data indicating contamination of shellfish with Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts have been published, comparing results from different studies is difficult, as there is no standardized protocol for the detection and quantification of these parasites in mussels, and different researchers have used different analytical approaches. Read More

J Clin Immunol 2019 Feb 21;39(2):207-215. Epub 2019 Mar 21.

Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Lindwurmstrasse 4, 80337, Munich, Germany.

Inborn errors in interleukin 2 receptor, gamma (IL2RG) perturb signaling of the common gamma chain family cytokines and cause severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Here, we report two brothers suffering from chronic cryptosporidiosis, severe diarrhea, and cholangitis. Pan T, B, and NK cell numbers were normal, but immunophenotyping revealed defective B cell differentiation. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019 Apr 20;116(14):7015-7020. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, DD1 5EH Dundee, United Kingdom;

Malaria and cryptosporidiosis, caused by apicomplexan parasites, remain major drivers of global child mortality. New drugs for the treatment of malaria and cryptosporidiosis, in particular, are of high priority; however, there are few chemically validated targets. The natural product cladosporin is active against blood- and liver-stage and in cell-culture studies. Read More

J Infect Dis 2019 Mar 20. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, USA.

Background: Cryptosporidiosis, an enteric protozoon, causes substantial morbidity and mortality associated with diarrhea in children <2 years old in low-to-middle-income countries. There is no vaccine and treatments are inadequate. A piperazine-based compound MMV665917 has in vitro and in vivo efficacy against C. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019 03 20;13(3):e0007259. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

National Reference Centre for Parasitology, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.

Cryptosporidiosis caused by the protozoan parasites Cryptosporidium hominis and C. parvum, threatens the lives of young children in developing countries. In veterinary medicine, C. Read More

Epidemiol Infect 2019 Jan;147:e139

Smittevernlege, Postboks 184, Fjell kommune, 5342 Straume,Norway.

In the autumn of 2018, an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis affected adult employees from the same company in Western Norway. The organism was Cryptosporidium parvum, GP60 subtype IIaA14G1R1. All those infected had drunk from the same container of self-pressed apple juice. Read More

Parasit Vectors 2019 Mar 12;12(1):95. Epub 2019 Mar 12.

National Infection Service, Public Health England, 61, Colindale Avenue, London, UK.

Background: Cryptosporidium spp. are important causes of gastroenteritis that can be transmitted from humans and animals. We elucidated the distribution of species and gp60 subtypes in human outbreaks classified by transmission vehicle. Read More

Parasit Vectors 2019 Mar 12;12(1):91. Epub 2019 Mar 12.

Department of Infectious Disease, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.

Background: Opportunistic infections represent a serious health problem for HIV-infected people. Among enteric infections, cryptosporidiosis, a severe and life-threatening diarrheal disease, is of particular importance in low economic settings where access to anti-retroviral therapy is limited. Understanding transmission routes is crucial in establishing preventive measures, and requires the use of informative genotyping methods. Read More

J Correct Health Care 2019 Mar 13:1078345819832024. Epub 2019 Mar 13.

4 Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, Port Hope, Ontario, Canada.

Eliminating Cryptosporidium oocysts is particularly challenging in prison environments, and limited information is available on best practices for outbreak control. This report aims to expand the evidence base through the lessons learned from an outbreak at a Canadian federal penitentiary in 2013. The outbreak investigation methods included inmate and staff case finding, hypothesis-generating questionnaires, and environmental investigation. Read More

CNS Spectr 2019 Feb;24(1):175-176

4Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation,Chicago,IL.

Study ObjectiveDelusional parasitosis, or Ekbom syndrome, is a fixed false belief of being infested by parasites [Bellanger 2009]. With easy accessibility of the internet, serving as a vital tool in acquiring myriad information, these delusions typically arise and can be fueled by external sources as self-research [Bell2005]. For instance, garlic (allium sativum) has been reported to exhibit anthelmintic activity against cestodes (tapeworms), proving to be a natural treatmentoption [Abdel-Ghaffar 2010]. Read More

Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019 Mar 5. Epub 2019 Mar 5.

Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina; Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina; Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina; Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina. Electronic address:

Background & Aims: The epithelial response is critical for intestinal defense against Cryptosporidium, but is poorly understood. To uncover the host strategy for defense against Cryptosporidium, we examined the transcriptional response of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) to C parvum in experimentally infected piglets by microarray. Up-regulated genes were dominated by targets of interferon (IFN) and IFN-λ3 was up-regulated significantly in infected piglet mucosa. Read More

Nat Microbiol 2019 Mar 4. Epub 2019 Mar 4.

Biomedical Research Centre, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK.

Human cryptosporidiosis is the leading protozoan cause of diarrhoeal mortality worldwide, and a preponderance of infections is caused by Cryptosporidium hominis and C. parvum. Both species consist of several subtypes with distinct geographical distributions and host preferences (that is, generalist zoonotic and specialist anthroponotic subtypes). Read More

Trop Med Infect Dis 2019 Mar 2;4(1). Epub 2019 Mar 2.

Division of Tropical Health & Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4814, Australia.

With the rise of global migration, international trade, and global environmental challenges such as climate change, it is not surprising that the interactions between humans and other animals are shifting. Salient infectious diseases, such as malaria and HIV (which have high burdens of disease), attract sophisticated public health frameworks and funding from global/regional organisations, such as the WHO. This unfortunately detracts attention from the many emerging zoonoses that fall under the radar as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Read More

J Med Chem 2019 Mar 15;62(6):3135-3146. Epub 2019 Mar 15.

Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy & Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging & Re-Emerging Infectious Disease (CERID) , University of Washington , Seattle , Washington 98109 , United States.

Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of pediatric diarrhea worldwide. Currently, there is neither a vaccine nor a consistently effective drug available for this disease. Selective 5-aminopyrazole-4-carboxamide-based bumped-kinase inhibitors (BKIs) are effective in both in vitro and in vivo models of Cryptosporidium parvum. Read More

Int J Food Microbiol 2019 May 19;296:14-20. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Department of Food and Environmental Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland. Electronic address:

Growing demand for fresh, unprocessed food favours the emergence of Cryptosporidium infections in humans. Mainly it is food of plant origin or unpasteurized milk which have been involved in food-borne outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis. So far consumption of shellfish contaminated with Cryptosporidium were not associated with human infections although such as possibility exists. Read More

J Parasitol 2019 Feb;105(1):170-179

1   Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain.

This study reports for the first time the molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in Salmo trutta. A total number of 613 brown trout was captured by local anglers in 44 Galician rivers within 10 river basins (NW Spain) during the 2015 fishing season (March-August) and classified into groups according to their size. Read More

Parasitol Res 2019 Feb 21. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Institute of Parasitology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 35, D - 04103, Leipzig, Germany.

Cryptosporidiosis is a common protozoan parasitic infection that causes diarrhoea in neonatal calves. The high shedding of environmentally resistant oocysts facilitates outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis in humans. In total, 58 farms (512 calves) in Germany (Saxony and Brandenburg) were visited three times each. Read More

Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019 Apr 27;63(4). Epub 2019 Mar 27.

Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA

Cryptosporidiosis is one of the leading causes of moderate to severe diarrhea in children in low-resource settings. The therapeutic options for cryptosporidiosis are limited to one drug, nitazoxanide, which unfortunately has poor activity in the most needy populations of malnourished children and HIV-infected persons. We describe here the discovery and early optimization of a class of imidazopyridine-containing compounds with potential for treating infections. Read More

Acta Trop 2019 Apr 7;192:151-157. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain; Agrifood Institute of Aragon (IA2), University of Zaragoza-CITA, Miguel Servet 177, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain. Electronic address:

The intra-species genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium parvum in dairy cattle farms in the central area of Colombia was investigated using a multilocus fragment typing approach with nine variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) loci and the gp60 gene. Genomic DNA of 70 C. parvum isolates from pre-weaned calves in 32 farms was analysed. Read More

Ann Parasitol 2018;64(4):331-338

College of Veterinary Science and Medicine, Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz 3120, Nueva Ecija, Philippines

Fecal DNA samples from 17 cattle and 38 water buffaloes found to be infected with Cryptosporidium oocysts using Kinyoun acid fast stain from a previous study, were subjected to loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay using specific primers for Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) from three municipalities, Maria, Baler and San Luis of the province of Aurora in the Philippines. Results of the fecalysis using Kinyoun acid fast stain and LAMP assay were compared with the PCR results of the examined farmer/owner who raised these animals to determine the possible zoonoses of C. Read More

Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd 2019 Feb;161(2):85-92

Abteilung für Veterinärepidemiologie, Vetsuisse-Fakultät, Universität Zürich.

Introduction: In the present study, the incidence of diseases in cattle in the area of a veterinary practice was analyzed spatially. Furthermore, the relationship between the incidence of diseases and the distance to geographical elements was investigated. For this study, all cattle farms that were customers of the ambulatory clinic of the animal hospital in Zurich (Tierspital Zürich) were exactly localized on a map. Read More

Parasit Vectors 2019 Jan 17;12(1):41. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.

Background: Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are common enteric pathogens in humans and animals. Data on the transmission of these pathogens are scarce from Guangdong, China, which has a subtropical monsoon climate and is the epicenter for many emerging infectious diseases. Read More

Infect Immun 2019 Apr 25;87(4). Epub 2019 Mar 25.

Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska, USA

, a protozoan parasite that infects the gastrointestinal epithelium and other mucosal surfaces in humans and animals, is an important opportunistic pathogen in AIDS patients and one of the most common enteric pathogens affecting young children in developing regions. This parasite is referred to as a "minimally invasive" mucosal pathogen, and epithelial cells play a central role in activating and orchestrating host immune responses. We previously demonstrated that infection stimulates host epithelial cells to release exosomes, and these released exosomes shuttle several antimicrobial peptides to carry out anti- activity. Read More

BMC Genomics 2019 Jan 14;20(1):37. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, People's Republic of China.

Background: Cryptosporidium parvum is an important zoonotic parasitic disease worldwide, but the molecular mechanisms of the host-parasite interaction are not fully understood. Noncoding microRNAs (miRNAs) are considered key regulators of parasitic diseases. Therefore, we used microarray, qPCR, and bioinformatic analyses to investigate the intestinal epithelial miRNA expression profile after Cryptosporidium parvum infection. Read More

Parasit Vectors 2019 Jan 8;12(1):16. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

The Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.

Background: Globally cryptosporidiosis is one of the commonest causes of mortality in children under 24 months old and may be associated with important longterm health effects. Whilst most strains of Cryptosporidium parvum are zoonotic, C. parvum IIc is almost certainly anthroponotic. Read More

ChemMedChem 2019 Feb 30;14(4):386-453. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

School of Chemistry and Physics, Pietermaritzburg Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa.

The Pathogen Box is a 400-strong collection of drug-like compounds, selected for their potential against several of the world's most important neglected tropical diseases, including trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, cryptosporidiosis, toxoplasmosis, filariasis, schistosomiasis, dengue virus and trichuriasis, in addition to malaria and tuberculosis. This library represents an ensemble of numerous successful drug discovery programmes from around the globe, aimed at providing a powerful resource to stimulate open source drug discovery for diseases threatening the most vulnerable communities in the world. This review seeks to provide an in-depth analysis of the literature pertaining to the compounds in the Pathogen Box, including structure-activity relationship highlights, mechanisms of action, related compounds with reported activity against different diseases, and, where appropriate, discussion on the known and putative targets of compounds, thereby providing context and increasing the accessibility of the Pathogen Box to the drug discovery community. Read More

J Zoo Wildl Med 2018 Dec;49(4):1061-1063

Feces collected from a wild-caught, young adult king cobra ( Ophiophagus hannah) were repeatedly positive for Cryptosporidium on both direct immunofluorescent antibody (DFA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and sequencing identified the organism as Cryptosporidium serpentis. Infection was subclinical, as the snake was in good body condition and active, and readily consumed dead rats that were scented with snake skin. A course of paromomycin, inserted in feeder rats, was initiated at 360 mg/kg, orally, twice weekly for 6 wk. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2018 Dec 27;18(1):704. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

Medical student, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia.

Background: Those infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have a higher risk of opportunistic infections. The risk is related to the level of immunosuppression. We report a case of a young male with the unusual scenario of three opportunistic infections occurring simultaneously: Cryptococcosis, Histoplasmosis and Cryptosporidiosis. Read More

Parasitol Int 2019 Apr 24;69:110-113. Epub 2018 Dec 24.

Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address:

This report describes the detection of zoonotic Cryptosporidium muris, C. parvum subgenotype IIa and Giardia duodenalis genotype B in urban rodents in Malaysia. A rare occurrence of C. Read More

Ann Agric Environ Med 2018 Dec 18;25(4):732-733. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland.

The risk of exposure to zoonotic factors among veterinarians comprises still underestimated problem. Many etiological factors of infectious diseases are so far poorly known, including the way of their transmission from environment to humans and their impact for health. The main aim of the study was to determine the risk of two selected zoonosis infections caused by Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. Read More

Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin 2018 Dec 21. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address:

Front Microbiol 2018 20;9:2830. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.

Few data are available on the transmission dynamics of intestinal protozoa in children in welfare institutes. In this study, fecal specimens were collected from 396 children in a welfare institute in Shanghai, China during December 2011 (207 specimens), June 2012 (78 specimens), and September 2013 (111 specimens), and examined for spp., , and by PCR analysis of the small subunit rRNA, triosephosphate isomerase, and internal transcribed spacer genes, respectively. Read More

J Water Health 2018 Dec;16(6):1033-1037

National Centre for Geographic and Resource Analysis in Primary Health Care, Australian National University, Canberra, 2600, Australia.

There is little evidence on how the health impacts of drought vary spatially and temporally. With a focus on waterborne cryptosporidiosis, we identify spatio-temporal hotspots and by using interrupted time series analysis, examine the impact of Australia's Big Dry (2001-2009) in these disease clusters in the Murray Darling Drainage Basin. Analyses revealed a statistically significant hotspot in the north of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and a hotspot in the north-eastern end of the basin in Queensland. Read More

J Parasit Dis 2018 Dec 19;42(4):630-635. Epub 2018 Oct 19.

4Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Damanhour University, Damanhûr, 21634 Egypt.

Patients with chronic renal failure are more susceptible to infections due to acquired immunodeficiency caused by uremia. Parasitic infections are one of the significant causes of morbidity and mortality in those patients, So we aimed to assess the prevalence of spp. and other protozoan infections in patients undergoing hemodialysis in Qena Governorate, Upper Egypt. Read More

Microbiol Resour Announc 2018 Nov 15;7(19). Epub 2018 Nov 15.

National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

Cryptosporidium parvum is a zoonotic protozoan parasite that causes food and waterborne gastrointestinal disease and whose major animal reservoirs are cattle and small ruminants. We report here on a draft whole-genome sequence of a zoonotic isolate of C. parvum isolated from a person with cryptosporidiosis. Read More

Exp Parasitol 2019 Jan 3;196:28-37. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Laboratory of Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, UK; School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, UK. Electronic address:

Cryptosporidium is a genus of single celled parasites capable of infecting a wide range of animals including humans. Cryptosporidium species are members of the phylum apicomplexa, which includes well-known genera such as Plasmodium and Toxoplasma. Cryptosporidium parasites cause a severe gastro-intestinal disease known as cryptosporidiosis. Read More

Vet Parasitol 2018 Dec 12;264:74-78. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria, (CICVyA), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Hurlingham, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias exactas, químicas y naturales (FCEQN), Universidad de Morón, Morón, Argentina. Electronic address:

The apicomplexan protozoan Cryptosporidium parvum is an important causative agent of diarrhea of neonatal bovines. Vaccination has been proposed as an advantageous strategy against cryptosporidiosis of calves since besides protection against disease it has also the potential to prevent dissemination of infective oocysts into the environment. Antigens anchored to the parasite surface via glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) are implicated in host cell attachment and invasion and represent promising vaccine candidates. Read More

Vet Parasitol 2018 Dec 10;264:58-63. Epub 2018 Nov 10.

Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7054 SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.

Diarrhea is common in young calves and is often caused by Cryptosporidium parvum infection. The aim of this study was to investigate if disinfection of calf pens with hydrated lime would reduce contamination of C. parvum oocysts and improve calf health in herds with C. Read More

Epidemiol Infect 2018 Dec 3:1-6. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Cryptosporidium Reference Unit, Public Health Wales Microbiology and Health Protection, Singleton Hospital,Swansea,UK.

In June 2015, an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis with 35 cases (23 probable and 12 laboratory-confirmed) occurred among 191 attendees of a residential rehabilitation holiday for paediatric organ transplant patients (n = 49) and their families at a hotel in Somogy county, Hungary. The overall attack rate was 18%. Most of the cases were transplanted children who experienced severe acute disease and required adjustment to their tacrolimus immunosuppression. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019 Jan;100(1):78-80

Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.

In high prevalence settings, cryptosporidiosis is commonly implicated as a cause of a gastroenteritis syndrome in the organ transplant population. Stool microscopy is predominant diagnostic modality. Therapeutic options in this group of patients are limited, making their management exceptionally challenging. Read More

J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2019 Dec;34(1):171-178

a Division of Applied Bioscience, Graduate School of Agriculture , Hokkaido University , Sapporo , Japan.

Inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) is an essential enzyme for the production of guanine nucleotides. Disruption of IMPDH activity has been explored as a therapeutic strategy for numerous purposes, such as for anticancer, immunosuppression, antiviral, and antimicrobial therapy. In the present study, we established a luciferase-based high-throughput screening system to identify IMPDH inhibitors from our chemical library of known bioactive small molecules. Read More

Korean J Parasitol 2018 Oct 31;56(5):419-427. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul 03080, Korea.

This study aimed to develop a new multiplex real-time PCR detection method for 3 species of waterborne protozoan parasites (Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia lamblia, and Cyclospora cayetanensis) identified as major causes of traveler's diarrhea. Three target genes were specifically and simultaneously detected by the TaqMan probe method for multiple parasitic infection cases, including Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein for C. parvum, glutamate dehydrogenase for G. Read More