Occurrence of Cryptosporidium in the water basins of nitra region, slovakia.

Cryptosporidium species C. parvum and C. hominis are a common cause of human diarrheal infections worldwide. In this study we attempted to detect these parasites in fish ponds and a water reservoirs in the Nitra region of Slovakia. We identified C. parvum genotype IIaA15G1R1 and genotype IIaA16G1R1 and C. hominis genotype IeA11G3T3 in these locations. Occurrence of the same genotype of C. hominis in two different locations indicates that this parasite is most likely present in the river that connects them. These results indicate a serious threat to public health of humans since these locations are used for fishing and for recreational activities.