Cryptosporidium

• Cryptosporidium Definition
• Cryptosporidium Symptoms
• Cryptosporidium Causes
• Cryptosporidium Tests and Treatment
• Cryptosporidium Prevention

Cryptosporidium Definition

Cryptosporidium (Cryptosporidiosis) - diarrheal disease caused by Cryptosporidium genus parasites. The disease and the parasite are commonly known as "Crypto." Cryptosporidium affects people and animals, and the parasite is resistant to many forms of disinfection. Cryptosporidium can be transmitted in several different ways, most commonly by contact with contaminated or unclean water. Cryptosporidium is one of the most frequent causes of waterborne disease.

Cryptosporidium Symptoms

Cryptosporidium is unique in its survival, lifecycle and the way it infects a person. Cryptosporidium is a coccidian protozoan parasite. The life cycle of Cryptosporidium is complex.There are six distinct developmental stages, beginning with the moment the Cryptosporidium parasite is ingested.:

• Excystation of the orally ingested oocyst in the small bowel with release of the four sporozoites,/li>
• Invastion of intestinal epithelial cells
• Differentiation of microgametes and macrogametes,/li>
• Fertilization and replication
• Development of new oocysts
• Formation of new, infectious sporozoites within the oocyst, which is then excreted in the stool

. People infected with cryptosporidiosis differ between immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. Immunocompetent patients have acute cryptosporidiosis but self-limiting diarrheal illness (1-2 weeks) with accompanying sympoms

• Frequent, watery diarrhea
• Red or bloody stool
• Nausea and vomiting, with low-grade fever
• Abdominal cramps and distention

Immunocompromised patients experience more severe symptoms:

• Debilitating, cholera-like diarrhea (up to 20 liters/day)
• Explosive diarrhea
• Severe abdominal pain and cramps
• Malaise , anemia, fever, weakness
• Unexpected weight loss

  Cryptosporidium Causes

  Transmission is usually fecal or oral from contact with contaminated water or contact with feces directly. People at Cryptosporidium risk are are:

  • Infants and younger children
  • People drinking unclean or unfiltered water
  • Farmers invlved in muck-spreading
  • Eating food handled by an infected person or cleaned with contaminated water
  • Unclean swimming pools or water park pools
  • Sexual practices bringing people into oral contact with feces
  • Farm animal veterinarians
  • Travelers to unclean or underdeveloped areas
  Probability of transmission from just a small amount of contamination is fairly high. The oocysts do not survive cooking, but food contamination can occur in beverages, salads, or other foods not heated or cooked after handling.

  Cryptosporidium Tests and Treatment

  There are a number of ways to test and diagnose Cryptosporidium:

  • Biopsy of intestinal tissue - outdated and less reliable method of testing
  • Stool sample testing - detect the oocysts directly from stool samples
  • Immunologically - anti-cryptosporidial chemicals can be detected, indicating the presence of cryptoporidium
  Supportive care and rehydration are the only treatment for diarrhear caused by Cryptosporidium.

  Cryptosporidium Prevention

  • Washing hands after using the toilet, changing diapers, before eating or preparing food
  • Use alcohol-based sanitizers when soap is not available
  • Purify wilderness water
  • Don't drink water from shallow wells, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds and streams unless you filter it or boil the water
  • Don't swallow water when swimming in pools, lakes or streams
  • Use bottled water
  • Don't use ice, and avoid raw fruits and vegetables, even those you peel yourself
  • Practice safer sex
  Until the health risk of drinking water containing small number of Cryptosporidium oocysts is clearly defined, it is advised that these individuals boil all water intended for drinking for at least one minute.
  Related Topics

  • Nutrition
  • Cleanest Water
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  • Carbs and Nutrition
  • Protein and Nutrition
  • Vitamins
  • Minerals
  • Antioxidants
  • Anti-Inflammatory Diet
  • Organic Foods
  • Essential Amino Acids

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