Nanotechnology-Based Interventions Against Cryptosporidium: Current Insights and Future Directions

Nanotechnology-Based Interventions Against Cryptosporidium

Abstract

Cryptosporidium is a primary cause of waterborne epidemics, despite being previously considered only an opportunistic pathogen. The illness is linked to substantial financial losses in both humans and animals due to diarrhea, which often results in dehydration. The main sources of infection are contaminated water and contact with sick humans or animals. Various medications are employed to manage the parasites. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized nitazoxanide (NTZ), an antiviral and anti-protozoan medication that may be used as a broad-spectrum antibiotic to manage viruses, helminths, and protozoan parasites. But the issue is that these parasites gain resistance over time. In recent years, nanoparticles have drawn a lot of interest as potential anti-parasitic medicines. Targeted drug delivery reduces pharmacological adverse effects by delivering drugs to certain cellular sites. It has been shown that nanoparticles are efficient against many kinds of Cryptosporidium. It has been discovered that NTZ-loaded nanoparticles are a useful treatment for C. parvum in children and reduce the number of oocysts excreted in the feces. Furthermore, silver nanoparticles have demonstrated efficacy against C. parvum by releasing silver ions that penetrate the oocyst's cell wall, allowing internal contents to escape and destroying sporozoites inside the oocyst. Using microscopic particles to remove Cryptosporidium from drinking water is a cost-effective and sustainable method. However, further study is needed before using nanoparticles in medicine.