Alejandro Grinberg

Citation

Thesis Title
Epidemiological Studies of Cryptosporidiosis

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Mr Grinberg explored the population genetic structure of the protozoan parasites Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis at a global scale, and the role of these pathogens in equine disease in New Zealand. He highlighted the genetic divergence among geographically separated parasite populations despite gene flow, and the differences in the parasites’ genetic structure between developed and developing regions of the world. He also provided statistical support to the emerging idea of the existence of anthroponotic C. parvum cycles that do not involve cattle. His thesis reports an original, reproducible strategy of analysis that could stimulate similar studies of microbial population structure by other groups. Finally, Mr. Grinberg’s studies on equine cryptosporidiosis demonstrate the important role of Cryptosporidium parvum as a pathogen of foals and represent the most comprehensive series of studies on this topic so far published in the scientific literature.

Supervisors
Professor Bill Pomroy
Associate Professor Giovanni Widmer
Professor Nicolas Lopez-Villalobos