Cryptosporidium infection in animals and humans in Tanzania: A review
Mtambo, M.M.A|Mpelumbe-Ngeleja, C.A.R|Maeda, G.E|Kazwala, R.R|Karimuribo, E.|Kusiluka, L. J.M|Matovelo, J.A|Kambarage, D.M / 2000

Cryptosporidium is a zoonotic coccidian parasite causing infections in animals and humans. Two main species namely C. parvum and C. muris cause infections in mammalian hosts. C. parvum causes diarrhoea in both immunocompetemt and immunocompromised individuals with severe signs in the later. In Tanzania the parasite was first reported in 1984, in a diarrhoeic goat kid and subsequently in cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, dogs, wildlife and humans. Furthermore, Cryptosporidium has been associated with diarrhoea in cattle and pigs among domestic animals, as well as humans including HIV/AIDS patients with chronic diarrhoea. Two sizes of oocysts measuring 4-6mm and 6-7.4mm in diameter, resembling those of C. parvum and C. muris respectively, have been demonstrated in cattle. Cryptosporidium infections seem to be more prevalent in the cool climate areas of Tanzania. In various studies in Tanzania, neither details determining the association between human and animal cryptosporidiosis, nor the sources of infections to human and animals, were determined. The present paper highlights on the occurrence of Cryptosporidium in various domestic animals, wildlife animals and humans in Tanzania.