Genetic richness and diversity in @entity24452 and XXXX reveals major knowledge gaps and a need for the application of "next generation" technologies--research review.

@entity1 @entity24452 @entity66 @entity645 @entity24453 @entity2432 @entity791
@entity24452 species (apicomplexan protists) are a major cause of @entity66 (= cryptosporidiosis) in @entity1 worldwide. The impact of cryptosporidiosis is also compounded by the spread of @entity645 / @entity791 and a lack of cost-effective anti-cryptosporidial chemotherapeutics or vaccines. Mitigation of the impact of cryptosporidiosis in @entity1 needs to focus on prevention and control strategies, built on a sound understanding of the epidemiology of @entity24452 species. Refined epidemiological studies rely on the use of molecular tools employing informative genetic markers. Currently, the 60-kDa glycoprotein gene (gp60) is the most suitable and widely used genetic marker for @entity24452 species infecting @entity1 . Here, we undertake an analysis of all publicly-available gp60 sequence data and associated literature for @entity24453 and @entity2432 , and yield useful insights into the richness, diversity and distribution of genetic variants, and link these variants to @entity1 cryptosporidiosis. This global analysis reveals that, despite high genetic richness in @entity24452 isolates from @entity1 , there is a surprisingly low diversity. It also highlights limited knowledge about the genetics of cryptosporidiosis in developing nations and in many animals that might act as infection sources. Clearly, there is a major need for more comprehensive studies of @entity24452 infecting @entity1 and other animals in Africa and Asia. As molecular technologies improve and become affordable, future studies should utilize "next generation" sequencing and bioinformatic platforms to conduct comparative 'genome sequence surveys' to test the validity of current genetic classifications based on gp60 data. Complemented by in vitro and in vivo investigations, these biotechnological advances will also assist significantly in the search for new intervention strategies against @entity1 cryptosporidiosis.
