Cryptosporidium is a protozoan with worldwide distribution that infects a wide variety of species, including humans and animals. Thirty-eight individual species of Cryptosporidium have been characterised, including more than 60 genotypes [1]. Cryptosporidium hominis and C. parvum are most commonly found to cause illness in humans and are attributed to >90% of infections [2].

Responsible for causing cryptosporidiosis, Cryptosporidium has been ranked as the sixth most important food-borne parasite globally. Human to human as well as animal to human transmissions have also been documented [3].

Cryptosporidiosis is prevalent globally. In the United States, cryptosporidiosis is a nationally reported disease, with an estimated 823,000 cases annually. Approximately 9.9% of these cases are attributed to international travel. The demographic group with the highest reported rates of cryptosporidiosis comprises young children under 5 years old and their caregivers. [2]

The disease burden in both developed and developing countries is likely to be underestimated partly due to the large number of asymptomatic or self-limiting cases, lack of newer diagnostic methods resulting in the reliance on microscopy for routine detection, which is associated with low specificity and sensitivity [4].