Global health R&D at work in Vermont
The University of Vermont’s Vaccine Testing Center is designing a research platform upon which new treatments for cryptosporidiosis can be tested in humans. Cryptosporidiosis, or crypto for short, is an infection caused by Cryptosporidium, a single-celled intestinal parasite found in soil, food, and water. Crypto is a leading cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children in low-income countries. It also causes significant illness and death in immunocompromised individuals. No vaccines exist to treat or prevent the infection and there are limited treatment options. In many parts of the world, crypto is associated with poor childhood nutrition and stunted growth. Past work by the center has focused on how crypto contributes to the vicious cycle of diarrhea, infectious diseases, and malnutrition.