up-to-date review on the taxonomy and immunobiology of the genus cryptosporidium

ABSTRACT

Cryptosporidiosis caused by a coccidian parasite belonging to the genus Cryptosporidium is now recognized as an important cause of gastroenteritis and diarrhea in a number of mammalian hosts including man, especially in immunocompromised patients. The progressively increasing rates of infection with cryptosporidiosis in Egypt is noticeable and alarming. The present review, therefore, brings up recent information on the taxonomy, life cycle and immunobiology of different species of this parasite in a trial to enrich the knowledge on this dangerous protozoan invader