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Clinical Microbiology Reviews, January 2004, p. 72-97, Vol. 17, No. 1
0893-8512/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/CMR.17.1.72-97.2004
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Cryptosporidium Taxonomy: Recent Advances and Implications for Public Health

Lihua Xiao,1* Ronald Fayer,2 Una Ryan,3 and Steve J. Upton4

Division of Parasitic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chamblee, Georgia 30341,1 USDA, ARS, ANRI, Animal Waste Pathogen Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705,2 Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia 6150, Australia,3 Division of Biology, Kansas State University Manhattan, Kansas 665064

There has been an explosion of descriptions of new species of Cryptosporidium during the last two decades. This has been accompanied by confusion regarding the criteria for species designation, largely because of the lack of distinct morphologic differences and strict host specificity among Cryptosporidium spp. A review of the biologic species concept, the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), and current practices for Cryptosporidium species designation calls for the establishment of guidelines for naming Cryptosporidium species. All reports of new Cryptosporidium species should include at least four basic components: oocyst morphology, natural host specificity, genetic characterizations, and compliance with the ICZN. Altogether, 13 Cryptosporidium spp. are currently recognized: C. muris, C. andersoni, C. parvum, C. hominis, C. wrairi, C. felis, and C. cannis in mammals; C. baïleyi, C. meleagridis, and C. galli in birds; C. serpentis and C. saurophilum in reptiles; and C. molnari in fish. With the establishment of a framework for naming Cryptosporidium species and the availability of new taxonomic tools, there should be less confusion associated with the taxonomy of the genus Cryptosporidium. The clarification of Cryptosporidium taxonomy is also useful for understanding the biology of Cryptosporidium spp., assessing the public health significance of Cryptosporidium spp. in animals and the environment, characterizing transmission dynamics, and tracking infection and contamination sources.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Division of Parasitic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30341. Phone: (770) 488-4840. Fax: (770) 488-4454. E-mail: lxiao{at}cdc.gov.

Clinical Microbiology Reviews, January 2004, p. 72-97, Vol. 17, No. 1
0893-8512/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/CMR.17.1.72-97.2004
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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