Cryptosporidium spp. infections in Tunisia: Epidemiology and public health implications
Abstract
Background Cryptosporidiosis is an emerging worldwide zoonosis caused by an opportunistic protozoon, Cryptosporidium spp. In Tunisia, the lack of knowledge on the occurrence and genetic characteristics of Cryptosporidium spp. limits the understanding of its epidemiology, impact and transmission routes. Objectives The present review aims to collect, compile and summarise data on the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. infections in humans, animals and the environment contamination in Tunisia. Methods A systematic review was conducted across international databases using PRISMA 2020 Guidelines. Data from 15 selected studies were extracted and organised into thematic categories, including prevalence rates, risk factors, diagnostic methods, and population groups affected. A qualitative synthesis approach was used to analyse and compare findings across studies, highlighting trends, gaps, and public health implications. Results The publications indicate that Cryptosporidium spp. infections are prevalent in both humans and animals, but the results remain confusing and may not reflect the real impact of the disease. In animals, only three studies were conducted in livestock and poultry. Only Cryptosporidium parvum (IIa and IId) was identified in the three studies from adult asymptomatic animals. Therefore, this finding may not reveal the true impact of the parasite on animal health. In humans, all studies were conducted in hospitals on adult and child patients diagnosed with either cancer or immunodeficiency. Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis were by far the predominant species suggesting potential zoonotic and anthroponotic transmission routes in humans. Of the two studies conducted on wastewater, five Cryptosporidium species ( C. parvum , C. hominis , Cryptosporidium meleagridis, Cryptosporidium muris, Cryptosporidium andersoni, Cryptosporidium ubiquitum ) and three genotypes were identified, highlighting the potential role of water as a potential route of Cryptosporidium spp. transmission. Conclusions The current review give an overview of the circulating Cryptosporidium spp. species and genotypes but they remain insufficient to fully understand the transmission dynamics, zoonotic potential and animal welfare implications of Cryptosporidium spp. in Tunisia.
Related
- Epidemiology of helminth infections in adults in rural rainforest communities of the Nkam-Wouri River Basin, Littoral Region of Cameroon: Implications for NTDs elimination using preventive chemotherapies
- Evaluation of the collaborative process of public-private partnerships in the veterinary domain: The case of the sanitary mandate in Tunisia
- Research progress on the epidemiology and diagnostic technologies of urinary tract infections in kidney transplant recipients
- Exploring associations between airborne pollen, air pollutants, and asthma-related public attention in Yan’an city: A digital epidemiology study based on Baidu index
- Environmental contamination and molecular epidemiology of Giardia duodenalis around Korean cattle farms: Implications for One Health surveillance
BibTeX
@article{bouaicha2026cryptosporidium,
title = {{Cryptosporidium spp. infections in Tunisia: Epidemiology and public health implications}},
author = {Faten Bouaicha and Aurélie Chevillot and Sihem El Hamdi Mansour and Bruno Polack and Maxime Delsart and Karim Tarik Adjou},
journal = {Veterinary Medicine and Science},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1002/vms3.71042},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05673958v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Cryptosporidium spp. infections in Tunisia: Epidemiology and public health implications
AU - Faten Bouaicha
AU - Aurélie Chevillot
AU - Sihem El Hamdi Mansour
AU - Bruno Polack
AU - Maxime Delsart
AU - Karim Tarik Adjou
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/29
JO - Veterinary Medicine and Science
DO - 10.1002/vms3.71042
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05673958v1
AB - Background Cryptosporidiosis is an emerging worldwide zoonosis caused by an opportunistic protozoon, Cryptosporidium spp. In Tunisia, the lack of knowledge on the occurrence and genetic characteristics of Cryptosporidium spp. limits the understanding of its epidemiology, impact and transmission routes. Objectives The present review aims to collect, compile and summarise data on the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. infections in humans, animals and the environment contamination in Tunisia. Methods A systematic review was conducted across international databases using PRISMA 2020 Guidelines. Data from 15 selected studies were extracted and organised into thematic categories, including prevalence rates, risk factors, diagnostic methods, and population groups affected. A qualitative synthesis approach was used to analyse and compare findings across studies, highlighting trends, gaps, and public health implications. Results The publications indicate that Cryptosporidium spp. infections are prevalent in both humans and animals, but the results remain confusing and may not reflect the real impact of the disease. In animals, only three studies were conducted in livestock and poultry. Only Cryptosporidium parvum (IIa and IId) was identified in the three studies from adult asymptomatic animals. Therefore, this finding may not reveal the true impact of the parasite on animal health. In humans, all studies were conducted in hospitals on adult and child patients diagnosed with either cancer or immunodeficiency. Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis were by far the predominant species suggesting potential zoonotic and anthroponotic transmission routes in humans. Of the two studies conducted on wastewater, five Cryptosporidium species ( C. parvum , C. hominis , Cryptosporidium meleagridis, Cryptosporidium muris, Cryptosporidium andersoni, Cryptosporidium ubiquitum ) and three genotypes were identified, highlighting the potential role of water as a potential route of Cryptosporidium spp. transmission. Conclusions The current review give an overview of the circulating Cryptosporidium spp. species and genotypes but they remain insufficient to fully understand the transmission dynamics, zoonotic potential and animal welfare implications of Cryptosporidium spp. in Tunisia.
SN - 2053-1095
SN - 2053-1095
ER -