Cryptosporidium is a worldwide enteric zoonotic protozoan parasite infecting a broad range of hosts, including humans, ruminants, birds, reptiles and fish [1,2]. It is the main cause of diarrheal illness in both developed and developing countries [3]. Cryptosporidiosis can result in severe diarrhea, which is usually self-limited in immunocompetent individuals, but may be chronic and life-threatening in immunocompromised patients [4]. It was estimated that up to 10% of cryptosporidiosis occurred between one to nine years old children and in toddlers in developing countries [5]. It has been reported as a virulent cause of diarrhea in Egypt, especially in young children, with a varied prevalence of 0%-49% [6,7] ; and with a prevalence of 11.6% in symptomatic children in Qalubiyah province [8]. Humans can acquire Cryptosporidium infections by ingestion of infective oocysts through person-toperson transmission or by direct contact with livestock or via water or food-borne transmission [9]. Several Cryptosporidium species with different genotypes and subtypes may infect man. Each causative species has unusual source(s) of infection, transmission route(s), and pathogenicity. Up to date, more than 26 spp. and approximately 50 genotypes have been recognized in humans and animals [10]. Therefore, it was advised that species identification in populations is essentially vital for determining the local transmission risk factors, and the consequent implementation of control programs to limit contact with infectious oocysts [11]. The majority of human cases of cryptosporidiosis (more than 90%) are caused by two species: C. hominis and C. parvum [7,12]. However, other species including C. felis, C. meleagridis,

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