The enteric parasite, Cryptosporidium is a major cause of diarrhoeal illness in humans and animals worldwide. No effective therapeutics or vaccines are available and therefore control is dependent on understanding transmission dynamics. The development of molecular detection and typing tools has resulted in the identification of a large number of cryptic species and genotypes and facilitated our understanding of their potential for zoonotic transmission. Of the 44 recognised Cryptosporidium species and >120 genotypes, 19 species, and four genotypes have been reported in humans with C. hominis, C. parvum, C. meleagridis, C. canis and C. felis being the most prevalent. The development of typing tools that are still lacking some zoonotic species and genotypes and more extensive molecular epidemiological studies in countries where the potential for transmission is highest are required to further our understanding of this important zoonotic pathogen. Similarly, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and amplicon next-generation sequencing (NGS) are important for more accurately tracking transmission and understanding the mechanisms behind host specificity.

Cryptosporidium is an enteric parasite that is transmitted via the faecal-oral route, water and food. Humans, wildlife and domestic livestock all potentially contribute Cryptosporidium to surface waters. Human encroachment into natural ecosystems has led to an increase in interactions between humans, domestic animals and wildlife populations. Increasing numbers of zoonotic diseases and spill over/back of zoonotic pathogens is a consequence of this anthropogenic disturbance. Drinking water catchments and water reservoir areas have been at the front line of this conflict as they can be easily contaminated by zoonotic waterborne pathogens. Therefore, the epidemiology of zoonotic species of Cryptosporidium in free-ranging and captive wildlife is of increasing importance. This review focuses on zoonotic Cryptosporidium species reported in global wildlife populations to date, and highlights their significance for public health and the water industry.

SUMMARY: Little is known about the genetic diversity of the protozoan parasite, Giardia duodenalis, infecting humans in Queensland, Australia. The present study typed 88 microscopically Giardia-positive isolates using assemblage-specific primers at the triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) gene and sequenced a subset of isolates at the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) gene (n = 30) and tpi locus (n = 27). Using the tpi-assemblage specific primers, G. duodenalis assemblage A and assemblage B were detected in 50% (44/88) and 38·6% (34/88) of samples, respectively. Mixed infections with assemblages A and B were identified in 4·5% (4/88) and assemblage E was identified in 6·8% (6/88) of samples. Sequence analysis at the gdh and tpi loci also confirmed the presence of assemblage E in these isolates. Cyst numbers per gram of feces (g⁻¹) were determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and of the isolates that were typed as assemblage E, cyst numbers ranged 13·8–68·3 × 10⁶ cysts g⁻¹. This is the first report of assemblage E in humans in Australia, indicating that in certain settings, this assemblage may be zoonotic.