University:
Eastern Kentucky University
Course:
BIO 273 | Clinical Microbiology
Academic year:

2022
Views:

341

Pages:

2
Author:

Accinkiquicpqw

Cryptosporidium Features: 1. Unicellular 2. The only parasite which partially stains acid-fast Transmission: 1. Fecal-oral transmission 2. People at risk of infection are: a. Swimmers in dirty water b. Campers c. People who work with animals Life Cycle: 1. Confined to a single animal 2. Produces following: a. Oocysts i. Released into feces b. Sporozoites i. Produces trophozoites ii. Attaches to intestinal wall and causes: 1. Diarrhea 2. Small intestine damage Diseases: It causes diarrhea basically. It can have different presentations depending on immunocompetency of the patient. Hence, it can be divided as follows: 1. Immunocompetent Patients a. Mild watery diarrhea 2. Immunocompromised Patients a. Severe unrelenting diarrhea in HIV patients Prevention: 1. Filtration a. Removes oocysts from infected water Treatment:  Do not confuse Cryptosporidium (a parasite) with Cryptococcus (a fungus).  Cryptosporidium causes severe diarrhea in immunocompromised patients  Cryptococcus causes meningitis in immunocompromised patients. 1. Nitazoxanide 2. Spiramycin (4) Oocysts are released through feces (1) Oocysts in contaminated water (3) Oocysts release sporozoites which form trophozoites and cause disease (2) Consumed by humans