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Cryptosporidium
Published in Dongyou Liu, Handbook of Foodborne Diseases, 2018
Una Ryan, Nawal Hijjawi, Lihua Xiao
Cryptosporidium is a genus of parasitic protozoans belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa, which infect a wide range of hosts including humans, birds, reptiles, and fish.1,2 In immunocompetent humans, the infection is usually self-limiting.3 However, in humans with compromised immune systems, it can be the cause of chronic diarrhea, cachexia, lack of appetite, and malnutrition.3 There is no effective treatment for cryptosporidiosis in immunocompromised populations, and no vaccine is available.3–5 Humans are susceptible to a wide range of Cryptosporidium species (∼17 spp.), with Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum the main species infecting humans globally.1,6
Cryptosporidium sp. findings in AIDS patients: A case report
Published in Cut Adeya Adella, Stem Cell Oncology, 2018
D.M. Darlan, M.F. Rozi, R.H. Saragih
Cryptosporidium is an apicomplexan protozoa causing infections in the gastrointestinal tract and lungs (Leitch & He, 2011). There are two species associated with human infection, Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis (Widerstrom et al., 2014). In the early 1980s, several cases were confirmed as related to HIV infection. In the 1990s, cryptosporidium was also linked to waterborne outbreaks of diarrhoea, with approximately 403,000 people being infected by this organism in Wisconsin (White, 2015; MacKenzie et al., 1994).
An Outbreak of Cryptosporidium sp. Associated with a Public Swimming Pool
Published in Meera Chand, John Holton, Case Studies in Infection Control, 2018
Christina J. Atchison, Rachel M. Chalmers
A questionnaire was completed and stool samples were collected from the 11 children. In addition, other cases were sought by requesting local GPs, paediatricians, walk-in centres, and hospital microbiologists to report to GMHPU suspected cases of diarrhoea, vomiting, or both, that were potentially linked to the swimming pool, and to obtain a stool specimen if appropriate. Initial review of the questionnaires suggested that illness was linked to attendance at a training session at the pool on September 13. By September 28, three cases had submitted stool samples to the local microbiology laboratory and they tested positive for Cryptosporidium. The tests detected oocysts using fluorescent microscopy with auramine-phenol stain. These specimens were typed as Cryptosporidium hominis by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at the National Cryptosporidium Reference Unit, Public Health Wales, Swansea. An outbreak was declared and an Outbreak Control Team (OCT) was convened with representatives from GMHPU, the City Council Environmental Health Department, regional epidemiology and microbiology services, the national Cryptosporidium Reference Unit, and local Public Health. An outbreak investigation followed.
Treatment of cryptosporidiosis: nitazoxanide yes, but we can do better
Published in Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy, 2023
Maria A. Caravedo, A. Clinton White
Cryptosporidiosis is caused by members of the genus Cryptosporidium, which are intracellular protozoans that cause enteric disease worldwide [1] While there are over 40 species, including a wide range that can infect people, most human disease is caused by Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum [2] It was initially recognized as a public health problem in populations with T-cell dysfunction, such as patients with HIV/AIDS, severe combined immunodeficiency, and malnourished children, in whom cryptosporidiosis can have a prolonged and severe course, leading to high mortality. During the past decades, the number of cases in AIDS patients has dramatically decreased. However, cryptosporidiosis has emerged as an increasing problem in patients with iatrogenic immunosuppression including solid and stem cells transplantation and CAR-T therapy [3–5] In addition, a number of defects of the innate immune response are emerging as risk factors for cryptosporidiosis in children with congenital immunodeficiencies including defects of CD40 ligand (also termed hyper IgM syndrome), IL-21 receptor alterations, and dedicator of cytokinesis 8 (DOCK8) defects [6–8]
Phenotypic screening techniques for Cryptosporidium drug discovery
Published in Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery, 2021
Melissa S. Love, Case W. McNamara
Diarrheal disease continues to be a global health burden and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children under the age of five, especially in resource-limited settings. Diarrhea, pneumonia, and malaria account for nearly a third of global deaths under the age of five [1]. Cryptosporidium spp. are a major cause of diarrheal disease in children ages 0–24 months, and are associated with an increased risk of death [2,3]. Young children who are immunocompromised, e.g., HIV-positive or malnourished, are highly susceptible to cryptosporidiosis. Additionally, immunocompromised adults (e.g., HIV-positive [4], organ transplant [5], or cancer patients [6]) are at risk of infection, though the disease is self-limiting in adults with healthy immune systems. Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum are the two main species that cause disease in humans, though there are roughly 40 recognized species with a wide range of hosts [7]. C. parvum is also an important cause of diarrheal and enteric disease in neonatal calves, which can have significant long-lasting impacts on the health of the animals and economic repercussions for farmers [8].
Cryptosporidium infection among people living with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Published in Pathogens and Global Health, 2020
Mehdi Mohebali, Yonas Yimam, Ambachew Woreta
Cryptosporidium is a ubiquitous protozoan parasite of humans and a wide range of animals [7]. Globally, the majority of human Cryptosporidium infections are caused by Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum: however, Cryptosporidium meleagridis, Cryptosporidium felis, Cryptosporidium canis, Cryptosporidium muris, Cryptosporidium suis, and Cryptosporidium andersoni were also infrequently isolated from humans [8–10]. Cryptosporidium is transmitted mainly by the fecal-oral route. Human to human (anthroponotic) as well as animal to human (zoonotic) transmissions have also been documented. Though cryptosporidiosis has a worldwide distribution, its occurrence is higher in low-income countries with limited access to the necessary infrastructure and potable water. Consequently, people are left struggling with the necessary facilities to prevent food and water contaminated by infective oocysts [11]. Cryptosporidium usually causes asymptomatic or self-limiting diarrhea in healthy immunocompetent persons; however, it can progress to chronic diarrhea in immunocompromised individuals, including PLWHA [7]. This may results in significant morbidity and mortality if appropriate measures are not promptly instituted [12].