Cryptosporidiosis is an illness you get from the parasite Cryptosporidium. It causes watery diarrhea and other gastrointestinal (gut) symptoms. In addition to infection of the stomach, this parasite can infect the respiratory system causing a cough and/or problems breathing.
The family Cryptosporidiidae belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa characterized by an anterior (or apical) polar complex (with apical rings, micronemes, and subpellicular microtubules), which allows penetration into host cells. Cryptosporidium species are able to infect a broad range of hosts including humans, domestic and wild animals (mammals, birds, fish, marsupials, reptiles and amphibians) worldwide.
Transmission
Humans and animals become infected with Cryptosporidium by touching anything that has come in contact with contaminated feces, although the most common mode of transmission is represented by ingestion of oocysts in contaminated food and water or air
Cryptosporidium has three developmental stages: meronts, gamonts and oocysts. They reproduce within the intestinal epithelial cells. Two types of oocyst, thick-walled and thin-walled, are produced during sexual reproduction. Thick-walled oocysts are excreted from the host into the environment, whereas thin-walled oocysts are involved in the internal autoinfective cycle and are not recovered from stools. Oocysts are infectious upon excretion, thus enabling direct and immediate fecal-oral transmission.
Clinical symptoms
The most common symptoms of cryptosporidiosis are watery diarrhea and stomach cramps. Other symptoms may include fever, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. In Symptoms and severity of infection vary with age and immune status of the host. Cryptosporidium infections are uncommonly detected in cats and dogs. Cryptosporidiosis can sometimes make dogs and cats sick, but animals with signs are atypical. In most cases, epithelial damage is minimal, but in severe cases, infection is associated with loss of the ability to maintain water balance. Clinical signs are usually restricted to mild diarrhea, unless the host is immune suppressed or has another underlying condition such as viral infection or malignancy.
Diagnosis
Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrheal disease that is spread through contact with the stool of an infected person or animal. The disease is diagnosed by examining stool samples. Oocyst excretion is intermittent, and multiple stool samples may be needed.
1. Microscopic examination of stool: Most often, stool specimens are examined microscopically using different techniques, such as acid-fast staining, Ziehl-Nielsen staining.
2. Laboratory diagnostic:
A. Real time PCR
B. Immunologic tests, such as direct fluorescent antibody, enzyme immunoassays for detection of Cryptosporidium sp. antigens
Treatment and Prevention
Most patients with healthy immune systems will recover from cryptosporidiosis without treatment. Supportive measures, oral or parenteral rehydration, and hyperalimentation may be needed for immunocompromised patients with severe disease.
The best way to prevent the spread of Cryptosporidium in the home is by practicing good hygiene.
