Isosporiasis

Isospora belli is a parasite which belongs to the Coccidia family, which also include Cryptosporidium and Toxoplasma gondii. It is most commonly found in tropical and subtropical climates.

It is probably transmitted by oral-faecal contact from person to person and by drinking water contaminated by faeces carrying the parasite; unlike Cryptosporidium, it does not appear to be transmitted from animal to human. It can infect the intestines of HIV-positive people, causing the illness known as isosporiasis (sometimes called coccidiosis).

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