Cryptosporidium parvum

Cryptosporidiosis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Cryptosporidiosis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
CT
MRI
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Case Studies
Case #1
Cryptosporidium parvum On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Cryptosporidium parvum All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Cryptosporidium parvum
CDC on Cryptosporidium parvum
Cryptosporidium parvum in the news
Blogs on Cryptosporidium parvum
Directions to Hospitals Treating Cryptosporidiosis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Cryptosporidium parvum

This page is about microbiologic aspects of the organism(s).  For clinical aspects of the disease, see Cryptosporidiosis.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];

Cryptosporidium parvum
Immunofluorescence image of C. parvum oocysts.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Protista Phylum: Apicomplexa Class: Conoidasida Subclass: Coccidiasina Order: Eucoccidiorida Family: Cryptosporidiidae Genus: Cryptosporidium Species: C. parvum
Binomial name
Cryptosporidium parvum

WikiDoc Resources for Cryptosporidium parvum
Articles
Most recent articles on Cryptosporidium parvum Most cited articles on Cryptosporidium parvum Review articles on Cryptosporidium parvum Articles on Cryptosporidium parvum in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Cryptosporidium parvum Images of Cryptosporidium parvum Photos of Cryptosporidium parvum Podcasts & MP3s on Cryptosporidium parvum Videos on Cryptosporidium parvum
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Cryptosporidium parvum Bandolier on Cryptosporidium parvum TRIP on Cryptosporidium parvum
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Cryptosporidium parvum at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Cryptosporidium parvum Clinical Trials on Cryptosporidium parvum at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Cryptosporidium parvum NICE Guidance on Cryptosporidium parvum NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Cryptosporidium parvum CDC on Cryptosporidium parvum
Books
Books on Cryptosporidium parvum
News
Cryptosporidium parvum in the news Be alerted to news on Cryptosporidium parvum News trends on Cryptosporidium parvum
Commentary
Blogs on Cryptosporidium parvum
Definitions
Definitions of Cryptosporidium parvum
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Cryptosporidium parvum Discussion groups on Cryptosporidium parvum Patient Handouts on Cryptosporidium parvum Directions to Hospitals Treating Cryptosporidium parvum Risk calculators and risk factors for Cryptosporidium parvum
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Cryptosporidium parvum Causes & Risk Factors for Cryptosporidium parvum Diagnostic studies for Cryptosporidium parvum Treatment of Cryptosporidium parvum
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Cryptosporidium parvum
International
Cryptosporidium parvum en Espanol Cryptosporidium parvum en Francais
Business
Cryptosporidium parvum in the Marketplace Patents on Cryptosporidium parvum
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Cryptosporidium parvum

Cryptosporidium parvum is one of several species that cause cryptosporidiosis.

Cryptosporidium parvum is a protozoal infection which causes an acute, watery, and non-bloody diarrhoea in immunocompromised patients.

In HIV infection, it can cause a watery diarrhoea which may be associated with anorexia, nausea/vomiting and also abdominal pain.

The sporozoa is contracted by fecal-oral route. The oocyst (which is the infective form of the organism) enters the GI tract and transform to sporozoites (a later form of C.Parvum). Furthermore, these sporozoites differentiate into trophozoites and attach to intestinal epithelium. This leads to malabsorbtion, and a watery, non-bloody diarrhea that is limited in immunecompetent people.

Later, the organism undergoes additional transformation phases: trophozoite-->type I meront-->merozoite-->type II meront-->merozoite--> Undifferentiated Gamont--> Micro/Macro-Gamont-->zygote-->oocyst. The cycle is completed when oocysts are excreted with the stools contaminating water, food, hands, and are ingested by either humans or other animals.

In immunecompromised patients, such as those with AIDS or those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, the diarrhea might not be self limited, and can lead to dehydration and if untreated - death.

The diagnosis of C.Parvum consists of serological tests and microscopic evaluation of oocysts in stools using Kinyoun acid-fast staining.

There is no effective treatment (other than supportive treatment) for this infection apart from an antibiotic called Paromomycin. This drug may have a limited effect on the diarrhea.

Cryptosporidium parvum is considered to be the most important water-bourne pathogen in developed countries. It is resistant to all practical levels of chlorination, it can survive for 24hrs at 1000mg/L free chlorine.