title: Characterization of Cryptosporidium spp.--recent developments and future needs.
abstract: Cryptosporidia, widely distributed protozoan parasites of vertebrates have recently attracted increasing interest due to several serious waterborne outbreaks, the life-threatening nature of infection in immunocompromised patients, and the realization of economic losses caused by these pathogens in livestock. Genetic polymorphism within Cryptosporidium spp. is being detected at a continuously growing rate, owing to the widespread use of modern molecular techniques. The aim of this paper is to review the current status of taxonomy, genotyping, molecular phylogeny, and characterization of cryptosporidia, and to highlight the need for polyphasic typing, i.e. an integrated approach comprising standardized morphologic, biologic, and molecular methods for describing Cryptosporidium species and isolates, and for establishing "virtual" reference strains.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Central Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 2, H-1581 Budapest 146, Hungary.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Egyed
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sréter
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Széll
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Varga
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; C106305:oocyst wall protein, Cryptosporidium