A review article: Cryptospordium spp in humans from Iraq

Cryptosporidium Spp. is one of the most critical fecal-oral pathogens in the world and a major contributor to mortality from contaminated diarrhea it includes Cryptosporidium hominis (C. hominis) and/or Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) are caused by for the most human infections. The life cycle of the parasite includes both asexual and sexual phase. Environmentally resistant spores that commonly contaminate food sources and drinking water are the means by which the infection is generate. In immunocompetent persons, this can result in main diarrhea outbreaks that typically last less than two weeks. Diarrhea can cause severe morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised or immunosuppressed individuals, in particular in AIDS patients. Moreover, in Iraq, it is important to carry out molecular genotyping research in order to identify the species and subtypes of Cryptosporidium that infect people and animals. As a result, the parasite Cryptosporidium should be considered an important public health problem and be part of Iraq's regular infectious disease surveillance and diagnosis program.