Abstract:

Cryptosporidium is an important zoonotic protozoan parasite, which mainly parasitizes in intestinal epithelial cells, causing diarrhea in humans and animals. To date, there are no effective drugs or vaccines for control of cryptosporidiosis. Establishing an efficient culture model may provide experimental basis for studying the mechanisms of host cell invasion by Cryptosporidium and the development of vaccines and drug against Cryptosporidium. Comparing to common animal infection models, in vitro culture system has advantages of low cost and being able to simulate physiological status of hosts, compared to common animal models of infection, thus facilitating anti-Cryptosporidium drug screen. This article reviews the research progress on chicken embryo and chicken embryo organ culture models, the cell culture models, the cell-free culture model, the three-dimensional culture model and intestinal organoids culture model for Cryptosporidium, to provide reference for further understanding of pathogenic mechanisms of Cryptosporidium and the development of anti-Cryptosporidium drugs.

Key words: Cryptosporidium, In vitro culture model, Research progress