BIOLOGICAL MAKE-UP OF THE CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS PATHOGEN AND ITS SOCIOMEDICAL IMPLICATIONS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/pub.health.2026.1.26Keywords:
cryptosporidiosis, cryptosporidia, genotype, morphology, life cycle, epidemiology, incidence, UkraineAbstract
Topicality. Cryptosporidiosis remains pressing, still unresolved public health problem as the disease is easily communicated through contaminated water, foods, or contacts with infected people and animals. The disease is particularly dangerous for minor children and people with compromised immune system. Prevention, treatment of cryptosporidiosis, and designing a vaccine are still pending.
Objective of the study is a systematization of the present knowledge of the biological, medical and epidemiological specifics of the cryptosporidiosis pathogenesis.
Materials and methods. To screen relevant articles in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, we used a systemic search pattern, as well as analytics, arrangement, comparison, generalization and logical-structural methods. The subject materials used for the study were output of scientific research related to the issue and Form 1 reporting of the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine on the infectious morbidity of the population of Ukraine in 2017–2024.
Results of the study. We have established the morphofunctional features of the cryptosporidiosis pathogen, such as extensive genotypic polymorphism, intracellular and extracytoplasmic enterocyte positioning, tiny 5 μm oocysts, one-host parasite development at all stages of the life cycle; and epidemiological specifics of the disease, such as significant proliferation among domestic and wild animals, a wide range of hosts; extremely high environmental stability of oocysts; fairly high resistance to known anticoccidial agents, chlorine-containing and other disinfectants. According to the analysis of the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine on the incidence of cryptosporidiosis, the largest numbers of cases were registered in 2019 (45 cases) and 2024 (34 cases).
Conclusions. The identified specifics allow the parasite to adapt to changing environmental conditions, contributing to high disease communication and complicating the prevention measures. Therefore, we have a strong need for reliable tests for detection and identification of the pathogen, and for vaccines, medicines and disinfectants to combat the parasite.
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