The epiCrypt Study - Household transmission of cryptosporidiosis v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Household transmission of Cryptosporidium in NW England and Wales, 2018-19: Risk factors and likely mechanisms for secondary spread.
IRAS ID
227587
Contact name
Caoimhe McKerr
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
Cryptosporidium is a major contributor to human diarrhoeal illness and infection with this parasite causes over 4,000 cases of diagnosed illness in England and Wales each year (Source: Public Health England). Reported risk factors are often estimated from outbreak investigations, However, outbreaks only represent about 10% of cases and the transmission routes for sporadic disease may not be the same.
Contact with others has been highlighted as a possible important factor in the transmission of sporadic Cryptosporidium, but how much follows-on from contact with other sick people is not well documented.More accurate understanding of the drivers behind continued apparent sporadic cryptosporidiosis in the UK has implications for appropriate public health messages, which can be reiterated to help mitigate spread and infection. Further characterisation of the organism may also help define the likelihood of each of the multiple transmission routes.
This project will estimate the amount of secondary spread that happens in the home and identify asymptomatic infection, which might have a role in transmitting disease. In addition, risk factors and characteristics associated with secondary spread will be described, including any differences in transmission between species.
The study will identify 400 cases from NW England and Wales over the course of 2018-19, and invite them and their household to take part. Each case will complete a questionnaire and each household member will provide a stool sample . Data will be analysed to show factors associated with spread and stool samples will be genetically characterised to accurately describe patterns of transmission.
The project is being undertaken as part of an NIHR Health Protection Research Unit funded PhD programme at the University of Liverpool, and collaborators include Public Health England and Public Health Wales.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0300
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion