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Cryptosporidium enteritis
Cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidium enteritis is an infection of the small intestine that causes diarrhea. The parasite cryptosporidium causes this infection.
Causes
Cryptosporidium has recently been recognized as a cause of diarrhea worldwide in all age groups. It has a greater effect on people with a weakened immune system, including:
- People who take medicines to suppress their immune system
-
People with HIV or
AIDS
AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS. When a person becomes infected with HIV, the virus attacks and weakens the immune ...
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In these groups, this infection is not just bothersome. It also can lead to severe and life-threatening loss of muscle and body mass (wasting) and malnutrition.
The major risk factor is drinking water that is contaminated with feces (stool). People at higher risk include:
- Animal handlers
- Men who have sex with men
- People who are in close contact with infected people
- Young children
Outbreaks have been linked to:
- Drinking from contaminated public water supplies
- Drinking unpasteurized cider
- Swimming in contaminated pools and lakes
Some outbreaks have been very large.
Symptoms
Symptoms of infection include:
- Abdominal cramping
- Diarrhea, which is often watery, large-volume, and occurs many times a day
-
General sick feeling (
malaise
)
Malaise
Malaise is a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or lack of well-being.
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- Nausea
Exams and Tests
These tests may be done:
- Antibody test to see if cryptosporidium is in the stool
- Intestinal biopsy (rare)
- Stool exam with special techniques (AFB staining)
-
Stool exam
using a microscope to look for the parasites and their eggs
Stool exam
Stool ova and parasites exam is a lab test to look for parasites or eggs (ova) in a stool sample. The parasites are associated with intestinal infec...
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Treatment
There are several treatments for cryptosporidium enteritis.
Drugs such as nitazoxanide have been used in children and adults. Other drugs that are sometimes used include:
- Atovaquone
- Paromomycin
These drugs often help only for a little while. It is common for the infection to return.
The best approach is to improve immune function in people who have a weakened immune system. In people with AIDS, this can be done by using highly active antiviral therapy. It can lead to a complete remission of cryptosporidium enteritis.
Outlook (Prognosis)
In healthy people, the infection will clear up, but it can last up to a month. In people with a weakened immune system , long-term diarrhea may cause weight loss and malnutrition.
Weakened immune system
Immunodeficiency disorders occur when the body's immune response is reduced or absent.
Possible Complications
These complications can occur:
- Inflammation of a bile duct
- Inflammation of the gallbladder
- Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
-
Malabsorption
(not enough nutrients being absorbed from the intestinal tract)
Malabsorption
Malabsorption involves problems with the body's ability to take in nutrients from food.
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- Loss of body mass that causes extreme thinness and weakness (wasting syndrome)
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your health care provider if you develop watery diarrhea that does not go away within a few days, especially if you have a weakened immune system.
Prevention
Proper sanitation and hygiene, including handwashing, are important measures for preventing this illness.
Certain water filters can also reduce risk by filtering out the cryptosporidium eggs. However, the pores of the filter must be smaller than 1 micron to be effective. If you have a weakened immune system, ask your provider if you need to boil your water.
References
Huston CD. Intestinal protozoa. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease . 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 113.
Lima AAM, Guerrant RL. Cryptosporidiosis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 350.
White AC Jr. Cryptosporidiosis ( Cryptosporidium species). In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 284.
Wright SG. Protozoan infections of the gastrointestinal tract. Infect Dis Clin N Am . 2012;26(2):323-339. PMID: 22632642 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22632642 .
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Cryptosporidium, organism - illustration
Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite found in contaminated water. It has been increasingly recognized as the cause of outbreaks of diarrhea when water supplies become contaminated. In normal individuals, it is a self-limited disease. Among immunocompromised individuals with AIDS, cryptosporidium can cause severe diarrheal disease, gallbladder disease (cholecystitis), and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
Cryptosporidium, organism
illustration
-
Digestive system organs - illustration
The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.
Digestive system organs
illustration
-
Cryptosporidium, organism - illustration
Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite found in contaminated water. It has been increasingly recognized as the cause of outbreaks of diarrhea when water supplies become contaminated. In normal individuals, it is a self-limited disease. Among immunocompromised individuals with AIDS, cryptosporidium can cause severe diarrheal disease, gallbladder disease (cholecystitis), and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
Cryptosporidium, organism
illustration
-
Digestive system organs - illustration
The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.
Digestive system organs
illustration
Review Date: 3/13/2016
Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
