Cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidiosis is a disease caused by the Apicomplexan protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium.

Laboratory diagnosis is required, usually by detection of oocysts, antigens, or DNA in stool samples.

Presents as watery diarrhoea, often with severe abdominal pain, commonly lasting >7 days.

The disease is self-limiting in immunocompetent patients.

Patients who are severely immunocompromised may suffer chronic, severe, and intractable disease. Most at risk are those with T-cell immune deficiencies, notably advanced HIV infection, or primary T-cell immune deficiencies, and those with haematological malignancies, particularly children.

Nitazoxanide may be used for treatment of cryptosporidiosis in immunocompetent people >1 year of age.

Cryptosporidium has caused outbreaks associated with, for example, contaminated drinking water supplies, food (especially fresh produce), swimming pools, children's day care facilities, and petting farms.

Cryptosporidiosis is an illness caused by the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium, characterised by watery diarrhoea and often accompanied by abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, low-grade fever, nausea, and/or vomiting. Symptoms, which usually last for up to 2 weeks and sometimes up to 4 weeks, may relapse after initial resolution. Cryptosporidium can cause prolonged, severe disease that may be life-threatening in some groups of severely immunocompromised patients.[1]Hunter PR, Nichols G. Epidemiology and clinical features of Cryptosporidium infection in immunocompromised patients. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2002 Jan;15(1):145-54. http://cmr.asm.org/cgi/content/full/15/1/145 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11781272?tool=bestpractice.com [2]Chalmers RM, Davies AP. Mini-review: Clinical cryptosporidiosis. Exp Parasitol. 2010 Jan;121(1):138-46. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19545516?tool=bestpractice.com Cryptosporidium infection in early childhood where malnourishment is prevalent can cause mortality, lasting malnutrition, and developmental delay.​[3]Gilbert IH, Vinayak S, Striepen B, et al. Safe and effective treatments are needed for cryptosporidiosis, a truly neglected tropical disease. BMJ Glob Health. 2023 Aug;8(8):e012540. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10407372 ​