AVIAN CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS: A SIGNIFICANT PARASITIC DISEASE OF PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARD

Abstract

Cryptosporidiosis is one of the most important zoonotic parasitic diseases affecting a wide range of host species. The disease is widely distributed all over the world. Cryptosporidium species can affect different avian hosts, causing severe economic losses. The severity of avian cryptosporidiosis symp-toms vary from asymptomatic disease to severe enteric and/or respiratory manifestations with high mortality. Diagnosis of Cryptosporidium infection is mainly based on microscopic detection of oocysts, serological methods, or molecular techniques to identify different Cryptosporidium species. Humans and animals are highly susceptible to infection by different Cryptosporidium species as a result of the ingestion of contaminated food and water by oocysts or direct contact with infected hosts. Different prevention and control strategies have been applied either in the surrounding environment or for the infected animals, birds, and humans. Therefore, this review article was designed to shed light on avian cryptosporidiosis species and its distribution, susceptibility and infection, clinical pictures, laboratory diagnosis, zoonotic importance in humans, and prevention and control strategies.