Molecular PCR based diagnostic techniques have enabled us to distinguish between the different, morphologically identical, Cryptosporidium species that can infect humans. Of the 23 recognized species in the genus, at least 9 are able to infect humans. As the intensity of the clinical manifestations, pathogenicity, excretion of oocysts, and incidence, are different between this species, molecular studies are crucial for a better understanding of the epidemiology of human cryptosporidiosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnferm Infecc Microbiol Clin
February 2011
Genus Cryptosporidium, has undergone major revisions in recent years. The identification of new species and their major reservoirs has contributed to the knowledge of the epidemiology of human infection. In Spain, although there are many publications, few studies have been conducted to identify the circulating species and genotypes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSpecies of Cryptosporidium infect a broad variety of animals. Because morphological features of the secreted oocysts are not useful in identifying the parasite at the species level, molecular tools were used to accomplish this task, leading to discovery of new Cryptosporidium species. With the use of this approach, Cryptosporidium bovis has recently been described as a new species infecting bovines and several other hosts, but clearly distinct from C.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicrosporidia are intracellular obligate parasites, today mainly associated with diarrhea in AIDS patients. Microsporidia prevalence ranges from 8% to 52% in different countries, as evaluated by several diagnostic methods, such as the stain test and PCR. In Medellín, Colombia, its frequency is unknown, and hence, a study was undertaken to determine the frequency of intestinal microsporidiosis in HIV patients, by means of the quick-hot Gram chromotrope test and the PCR.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF