Review of the Food-borne Zoonoses Research ... - ARCHIVE: Defra

7. n
Project code: OZ0402
Other zoonotic pathogens of interest
Project title: What is the potential for human isolates of both
genotypes of C. parvum to infect, colonise and be
excreted by farm animals
Start date (dd/mm/yy): 01/04/2000
End date (dd/mm/yy): 31/03/2003
£406,684
Total cost:
Affiliation: Veterinary Laboratories Agency,
Sub-contractor(s):
Project code: OZ0407
Cryptosporidium Reference Group,
HPA
Project title: Evaluation and risk assessment of zoonotic
transmission of Cryptosporidium
Start date (dd/mm/yy): 01/04/2003
End date (dd/mm/yy): 31/01/2008
£783,631
Total cost:
Affiliation: VLA
Sub-contractor(s):
Abstract of research
CREH Analytical Limited,
PHLS Cryptosporidium Reference Unit, Swansea
Public Health Laboratory
Cryptosporidium infection in people can result in severe clinical disease, which in
immuno-compromised patients can be fatal. Most human infection is with either of two
predominant species, C. hominis (thought until recently to be human specific) and C.
parvum. Both cause sporadic cases and outbreaks of disease. However, the Health
Protection Agency (HPA) and UK Cryptosporidium Reference Unit (CRU) have identified
other species and genotypes previously associated with animals, including C.
meleagridis, C. felis and C. canis in patients. Species identification is currently only
possible by molecular analyses and is not undertaken during routine diagnosis in primary
65