Apicomplexan parasites: environmental contamination and transmission
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026

Discovery of New Intracellular Pathogens by Amoebal Coculture and Amoebal Enrichment Approaches
Published on: October 28, 2013
Edward Siński1, Jerzy M Behnke
1Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Warsaw University, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland.
Abstract:
The Apicomplexa are a diverse group of intracellular parasitic protists. The majority of species from the classes Coccidea, Haemosporea and Piroplasmea are responsible for widespread diseases of humans and domestic animals. Oocysts of these parasites can persist for long periods of time in the environment (i.e. in water, soil, on vegetation and other food resources), maintaining their infectivity even under harsh environmental conditions and therefore are important for dispersal and transmission to hosts. This review will address the biology, transmission patterns and survival in the environment of Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora and Toxoplasma species, the most common causes of human diseases.
Related Concept Videos
Infection
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Diversity of Protists II
Microbial Interactions: Parasitism
Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence
Reservoir of Infection

