Giardiasis and cryptoporidiosis

Authors: Santin-Duran, Monica

Submitted to: Veterinary Clinics of North America
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/22/2019
Publication Date: 3/1/2020
Citation: Santin, M. 2020. Giardiasis and cryptoporidiosis. Veterinary Clinics of North America. 36(1):223-238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2019.11.005.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2019.11.005

Interpretive Summary: Cryptosporidium and Giardia are ubiquitous protozoan parasites that infect a broad range of vertebrate hosts including humans and domestic and wild animals. Both parasites are of medical and veterinary importance. For an animal health perspective, infections with Cryptosporidium and Giardia in ruminants are associated with diarrhea outbreaks mainly in young animals. For a public health perspective, ruminants are potential sources of infection for humans because some species of Cryptosporidium and assemblages of Giardia duodenalis have been isolated from both ruminants and humans. Our knowledge of these parasites has greatly expanded in the last two decades from simple microscopic observations of infections and presence in environmental samples to the knowledge acquired from application of molecular tools to taxonomy and epidemiology. This review summarizes available information for Cryptosporidiam and Giardia in ruminants and provides beneficial information to veterinarians, physicians, epidemiologists, and public health specialists concerned with this widespread parasite.

Technical Abstract: Cryptosporidium and Giardia are ubiquitous protozoan parasites that infect a broad range of vertebrate hosts including humans and domestic and wild animals. Both parasites are of medical and veterinary importance. For an animal health perspective, infections with Cryptosporidium and Giardia in ruminants are associated with diarrhea outbreaks mainly in young animals. For a public health perspective, ruminants are potential sources of infection for humans because some species of Cryptosporidium and assemblages of Giardia duodenalis have been isolated from both ruminants and humans. Our knowledge of these parasites has greatly expanded in the last two decades from simple microscopic observations of infections and presence in environmental samples to the knowledge acquired from application of molecular tools to taxonomy and epidemiology.