ABSTRACT
Cryptosporidium are intestinal parasites in humans and domestic animals. These opportunistic agents are the major cause of digestive pathology in HIV-infected individuals in developing countries and of acute diarrhea in children under fi ve. In Haiti, Cryptosporidium is responsible for 17% of acute diarrheas observed in infants under 2 years of age and 30% of chronic diarrheas in patients infected by HIV. The transmission of Cryptosporidium oocysts in young children, HIV-infected individuals, and people living in poor socioeconomic conditions is probably due to the consumption of water or contaminated food. Cryptosporidium oocysts have been detected in the surface water, groundwater and in public water supplies in two large cities in Haiti, Port-au-Prince and Cayes. High concentrations from 4 to 1274 oocysts per 100 liters of water were determined in drinking water. Exposure to such concentrations of Cryptosporidium in drinking water can generate major biological risks for human health. The aim of this chapter is to review and analyze the different risk factors associated with the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in the aquatic environments of Haiti.
