Virulent Parasite Yields Genetic Secrets; Cryptosporidium Decoding Could Prevent Illness, Bioterrorism

Researchers say they have mapped the genome for Cryptosporidium hominis, paving the way for drugs that might someday prevent or treat severe gastrointestinal illness associated with the water-borne parasite. The achievement might even have implications for the fight against bioterrorism, experts say, since U.S. health officials now classify the parasite as a "category B" organism that could be dumped into public water supplies.