The last discoveries in the Cryptosporidium biology and phylogenetics reinforce the necessity of a exhaustive review of both life cycle and taxonomy of this parasite. Besides in vitro and in vivo studies, further molecular and genetic studies will allow to advance in the thorough knowledge of this interesting parasite.

Although commonly detected in humans, microorganisms identified as Blastocystis have also been isolated from a wide range of animals, such as primates, pigs, cattle, birds, amphibians and, less frequently, rodents and insects. In the present paper, we describe the detection of Blastocystis sp. in bivalve mollusks of the genus Donax from the Peruvian northern coast. This finding extends the host range of this pathogen, opening the possibility of Blastocytis transmission to human beings by marine mollusks.

The present paper describes a protocol applied to fecal samples of cattle for the isolation and purification of Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts and the possible use of the same ones for genetic studies by means of PCR.

Los últimos descubrimientos en la biología y filogenética de Cryptosporidium refuerzan la necesidad de una exhaustiva revisión del ciclo de vida y la taxonomía de este parásito. Tanto futuros estudios de cultivo in vitro e in vivo así como estudios moleculares y genéticos permitirán avanzar en el profundo conocimiento de este interesante parásito.

Although commonly detected in humans, microorganisms identified as Blastocystis have also been isolated from a wide range of animals, such as primates, pigs, cattle, birds, amphibians and, less frequently, rodents and insects. In the present paper, we describe the detection of Blastocystis sp. in bivalve mollusks of the genus Donax from the Peruvian northern coast. This finding extends the host range of this pathogen, opening the possibility of Blastocytis transmission to human beings by marine mollusks.

The present paper describes a protocol applied to fecal samples of cattle for the isolation and purification of Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts and the possible use of the same ones for genetic studies by means of PCR.