Assessment of Cryptosporidium Infection in Colorectal Cancer patients: insights from Parasitological, Histopathological and Genetic Studies

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks among the most prevalent malignancies globally. While its causes are complex, researchers are increasingly looking at infections as a possible trigger. One suspect is the parasite Cryptosporidium (C.). It is increasingly detected in CRC patients, yet its pathological role remains undefined. Objectives: this research focuses on understanding the potential influence of Cryptosporidium infection on colorectal carcinogenesis. Methodology: This study analyzed 102 CRC patients, grouped by Cryptosporidium infection status (GI: 79, negative for infection, GII: 23 positive for infection), assessed by using histopathological, immunohistochemical (Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and Epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) and genetic (β-catenin) alterations between infected and non-infected individuals. Results: Among the CRC cases examined, 22.5% were found to be positive for Cryptosporidium infection. No significant demographic differences in age, sex, or residence were found between the two groups. All CRC patients were conventional adenocarcinoma. NF-κB showed nuclear expression in both groups and significant downregulation of E-cadherin recorded in both groups. The β-catenin gene expression was increased in all colorectal cancer patients. Conclusion: The study suggests Cryptosporidium infection may function as a risk factor by modulating the tumor microenvironment to facilitate carcinogenesis, but its presence does not subsequently accelerate disease progression or increase aggressiveness as measured by standard pathological markers.