Author
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Fayer, Ronald |
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Submitted to: CRC Press
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 6/6/2007 Publication Date: 1/1/2008 Citation: Fayer, R. 2008. The General Biology of Cryptosporidium. In: Fayer, R., Xiao, L., editors. Cryptosporidium and Cryptosporidiosis. 2nd edition. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. p.1-42. Interpretive Summary: The protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Cryptosporidium infect all classes of vertebrate animals causing economic losses to livestock and morbidity and mortality to humans. This chapter summarizes the history, taxonomy, molecular identification of species and genotypes, hosts, life cycle stages, physical appearance of the stages at the electron microscope level, methods of transmission, and means of prevention, control, and treatment of these parasites. This is the first chapter of a completely revised and updated book entitled Cryptosporidium and Cryptosporidiosis, 2nd edition by R. Fayer and L. Xiao. Technical Abstract: The protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Cryptosporidium infect all classes of vertebrate animals. Of the sixteen valid species and nearly forty genotypes, three species are responsible for the majority of economic losses to livestock and morbidity and mortality to humans. This chapter summarizes the history of the scientific milestones, the taxonomic problems, the need for molecular identification of species and genotypes, host ranges of species and genotypes, life cycle stages and their morphology at the electron microscope level, methods of transmission, and means of prevention, control, and treatment. This is the first chapter of a completely revised and updated book entitled Cryptosporidium and Cryptosporidiosis, 2nd edition by R. Fayer and L. Xiao. |
