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Cryptosporidium Species

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 June 2016

Deborah J. Zygmunt
Deborah J. Zygmunt*
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
*
Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-2561
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Extract

Protozoans of genus Cryptosporidium cause infections of the mucosal epithelium of a variety of animals, including humans. Infections by these coccidian parasites were once considered rare in animals. In humans, infections were thought to be the result of an opportunistic occurrence in immunosuppressed persons. Recently however, the concept of this intracellular protozoan parasite has changed markedly in that this parasite is now thought to be an important cause of widespread gastrointestinal (GI) illness commonly seen in several species, including humans. Infections in animals are common in newborn livestock and often are fatal. At least one species of this protozoan genus may cause mild to severe diarrhea in immunocompetent humans; this diarrheal illness may last from several days to a month or more. In immunosuppressed persons seen with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), cryptosporidiosis may cause a prolonged life-threatening diarrheal illness.” Recent descriptions of respiratory and biliary infections by Cryptosporidium species demonstrate that this parasite is not confined to the GI tract of immunosuppressed persons. Unfortunately, antiprotozoan therapy for cryptosporidiosis is ineffective. Persons with normal host defenses or those with restored immune balance are able to control the infection.

Type
Special Sections
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 10 , Issue 12 , December 1989 , pp. 570 - 572
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1989

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