Cryptosporidiosis: A Comprehensive Approach to a Significant Public Health Issue

In the ecosystem of public health, the 'One World, One Health' concept has evolved to enhance our understanding of diseases through the integration of animal health, emphasizing the complex interactions between etiological agents, hosts, and environmental factors. Cryptosporidiosis represents a critical concern within this framework, attributed to Cryptosporidium spp.—a protozoan parasite affecting a diverse range of hosts including mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish. The disease manifests variably across different host species, influenced by factors such as age, immune status, and environmental conditions, thereby necessitating a nuanced approach to its study and management.

The goal of ongoing cryptosporidiosis research is to develop a robust understanding of the disease dynamics to formulate effective prevention and control strategies. Essential to this objective is the identification of Cryptosporidium species, genotypes, and subtypes prevalent across different environments. This foundational knowledge is crucial not only for curbing the disease in animals, thereby mitigating economic losses in agricultural sectors, but also in protecting vulnerable human populations, including children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals, from severe outcomes such as diarrhea and dehydration.

Addressing the challenges posed by cryptosporidiosis requires a comprehensive Research Topic that respects the disease's complexity and widespread impact:

• Elucidating the transmission dynamics and environmental circulation of Cryptosporidium, aiming to bridge gaps in current understanding

• Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium from diverse hosts and environmental samples.

• Phylogenetic analysis to understand the evolutionary relationships and regional variations of Cryptosporidium species.

• Development and assessment of preventive measures tailored to different host environments.

• Evaluation of public health strategies to mitigate the impact of cryptosporidiosis within the framework of One Health.

This research topic aims to collect various articles on the areas above. We will accept all article types permissible in the Frontiers in Parasitology submission guidelines.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: cryptosporidium, One Health, Zoonotic, molecular characterization, phylogenetic relationships

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.