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Cryptosporidium and cryptosporidiosis: the African perspective

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Abstract

The present overview discusses the findings of cryptosporidiosis research conducted in Africa and highlights the currently available information on Cryptosporidium epidemiology, genetic diversity, and distribution on the African continent, particularly among vulnerable populations, including children. It also emphasizes the burden of cryptosporidiosis, which is underestimated due to the presence of many silent asymptomatic carriers.

Cryptosporidiosis is recognized as one of the leading causes of childhood diarrhea in African countries. It has dramatic adverse effects on child growth and development and causes increased mortality on a continent where HIV, poverty, and lack of sanitation and infrastructure increase the risk of cryptosporidial waterborne infection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Anatomy, Institute I, University of Colognem, Joseph-Stelzmann-Street 9, 50937, Cologne, Germany

    Hebatalla M. Aldeyarbi, Nadia M. T. Abu El-Ezz & Panagiotis Karanis

  2. Present address: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt

    Hebatalla M. Aldeyarbi

  3. Present address: Parasitology and Animal Diseases Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

    Nadia M. T. Abu El-Ezz

  4. Present address: Thousand Talents Plan of the Chinese Government, Center for Biomedicine and Infectious Diseases, Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Xining, China

    Panagiotis Karanis

Authors
  1. Hebatalla M. Aldeyarbi
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  2. Nadia M. T. Abu El-Ezz
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  3. Panagiotis Karanis
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Correspondence to Hebatalla M. Aldeyarbi.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Aldeyarbi, H.M., Abu El-Ezz, N.M.T. & Karanis, P. Cryptosporidium and cryptosporidiosis: the African perspective. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 13811–13821 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6746-6

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