Oocysticidal Effect of Essential Oils (EOs) and their Major Components on Cryptosporidium baileyi and Cryptosporidium galli

Abstract

Background and objective: Cryptosporidiosis is a common gastrointestinal disorder in humans and animals caused by various Cryptosporidium species. At present, many antiparasitic drugs have been tested but only a few have been shown to be partially effective in treating cryptosporidiosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of some essential oils and their major compounds (MCs) to destroy both species of Cryptosporidium: C. baileyi and C. galli. Materials and methods: A screening of the oocysticidal activity of five EOs and three MCs was carried using the direct contact method in a liquid medium. The release of substances absorbing at 273 nm was measured after treatment of Cryptosporidium oocysts with thymol and carvacrol.