Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
14:26
Genome-wide Purification of Extrachromosomal Circular DNA from Eukaryotic Cells
Published on: April 4, 2016
26.1K
Cryptosporidium infections in Denmark, 2010-2014
Christen Rune Stensvold1, Steen Ethelberg, Louise Hansen
1Infektionsepidemiologi, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark. run@ssi.dk.
Danish Medical Journal
|June 9, 2015
Summary
Cryptosporidiosis is a significant cause of diarrhea in Denmark, particularly in infants and young adults. National surveillance is recommended to better detect outbreaks and manage this parasitic infection.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases Epidemiology
- Public Health Microbiology
Background:
- The incidence and epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis in Denmark were previously unknown.
- This study aimed to determine the number of cases, species, and subtypes of Cryptosporidium from 2010-2014.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of cryptosporidiosis in Denmark.
- To identify the predominant Cryptosporidium species and subtypes circulating in the Danish population.
- To inform the establishment of national cryptosporidiosis surveillance.
Main Methods:
- Retrieved national data on Cryptosporidium testing from the Danish Microbiology Database and Statens Serum Institut (SSI).
- Analyzed positive samples using microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
- Performed species and subtype identification via conventional PCR and gene sequencing (ribosomal and gp60 genes).
Main Results:
- Identified 388 case episodes from 387 patients between January 2010 and April 2014.
- Cryptosporidiosis was most prevalent in infants, toddlers, and young adults (23-24 years).
- Cryptosporidium parvum was the most common species (34/43 samples), with subtypes IIaA15G2R1 and IIaA16G3R1 predominating.
Conclusions:
- Cryptosporidia represent a significant etiological agent of diarrhea in Denmark.
- Current diagnostic test sensitivity and lack of surveillance may hinder outbreak detection.
- Establishing national cryptosporidiosis surveillance is proposed due to the introduction of molecular methods.
More Related Videos
05:31Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
11.1K
06:59Rapid, Safe, and Simple Manual Bedside Nucleic Acid Extraction for the Detection of Virus in Whole Blood Samples
Published on: June 30, 2018
7.9K
Related Concept Videos
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
01:27Diversity of Protists II
Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
01:27Cryptococcal Meningitis
Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
01:28Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, poses significant public health challenges globally due to its high seroprevalence and varied clinical manifestations. As an obligate intracellular parasite, T. gondii can infect all warm-blooded vertebrates, but felids are its only definitive hosts, shedding unsporulated oocysts into the environment. Humans typically acquire the infection through ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked meat or oocysts from...
01:12Giardiasis
Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis). This flagellated protozoan is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and worldwide. Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route, with infection arising from ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts. Individuals in low-resource settings, international travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, daycare...
01:28Amebiasis
Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...