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The overall objective of the project is to implement the detection and identification of the protozoan pathogen Cryptosporidium through harmonisation and standardisation of methods, including molecular methods, at the pan-European level by
<LI> developing a database of prevalence and epidemiology of Cryptosporidium
<LI> establishing two repositories of reference material for Cryptosporidium
<LI> planning future common research on Cryptosporidium
Progress: A network of scientists from 10 Med-Vet-Net partner institutes has worked jointly, via two dedicated meetings and electronic communications, to collect updated information on the epidemiology of infection across Europe, and this information is now available in a dedicated database. A document that reviews the current methodology for molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium species / genotypes/ subtypes has also been produced. Training activities have contributed to the transfer of knowledge and the implementation of modern detection methods in some participating laboratories. The availability of reference material, made possible through the establishment of repositories in two laboratories, has been particularly useful in this context. Collaboration with the Med-Vet-Net bioinformatics team enabled the development of a Cryptosporidium database, which will be an important tool for the dissemination of information on cryptosporidiosis. The network developed will be expanded in a new workpackage to pursue common approaches to detect and control infection with Cryptosporidium and Giardia.
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