is a
Parasitic Disease affecting the
Intestine s of
Mammal s that is caused by ''
Cryptosporidium '', a
Protozoa n
Parasite in the phylum
Apicomplexa . It is a disease spread through the
Fecal-oral Route ; the main symptom is self-limiting
Diarrhea in people with intact immune system. In immunocompromised individuals, such as
AIDS patients, infection can cause permanent & life-threatening diarrhea. Despite not being identified until
1976 it is one of the most common waterborne diseases and is found worldwide. The disease and parasite name are sometimes abbreviated to just ''Crypto''.
Infection is through contaminated material such as earth,
Water , uncooked or cross-contaminated
Food that has been in contact with the
Feces of an infected individual or
Animal . Contact must then be transferred to the
Mouth and swallowed. It is especially prevalent amongst those in regular contact with bodies of fresh water whether through work or recreation.The source can be recreational water like swimming pools, contaminated water supplies, or contaminated food. Some outbreaks have happened in day care related to diaper changes.
Symptom s appear from two to ten days after infection and last for up to two weeks or so. As well as watery diarrhea there is often
Stomach pains or
Cramp s and a low
Fever . Some individuals are
Asymptomatic (have no symptoms) but are still infective and thus can pass on the infection to others. Even after symptoms have finally subsided that individual is still infective for some weeks.
Severe disease, including pancreatitis, can occur (Br Med J 1987, 294).
Treatment is primarily supportive. Fluids need to be replaced with oral rehydration. A lactose free diet should be taken as tolerated. In rare situations, intravenous fluids may be required. Antibiotics are not usually helpful, and are primarily reserved for persons with severe disease and a weak immune system. Sometimes relapses happen.
Prevention is through washing hands carefully after going to the bathroom or contacting stool, and before eating. If the water supply is in question, the water can be boiled or carefully filtered before drinking.
The majority of immuno-competent individuals suffer a short (less than 2 weeks) self limiting course that requires supportive care with re-hydration and occasionally anti-diarrhoeal medication. In immuno-incompetent individuals (including some with
HIV /
AIDS ) anti-retroviral therapy has been associated with improved outcomes. Several drug trials with high dose
Azithromycin look promising.
A number of species of ''Cryptosporidium'' infect mammals. In humans the main causes of disease are ''
C. Parvum '' and ''C. hominis'' (previously ''C. parvum'' genotype 1). ''C. canis'', ''C. felis'', ''C. meleagridis'', and ''C. muris'' can also cause disease in humans.
In 1993 a waterborne cryptosporidiosis outbreak occurred in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin . An estimated 403,000 people became ill, including 4,400 people hospitalized
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In the summer of .
In October 2005
Gwynedd and
Anglesey areas of
North Wales (UK) suffered an outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis. The outbreak may be linked to the drinking water supply from
Llyn Cwellyn but this is yet to be confirmed. This has resulted in over 200 people falling ill and the company Welsh Water (Dwr Cymru) advising 61000 people to boil their water before use.
The UK's biggest outbreak occurred in
Torbay in
Devon in 1995 when 575 people fell ill.
A recent outbreak (summer, 2005) in upstate New York resulted in the infection of over 1800 people; and the epidemic was traced to a State Park that had poor decontamination methods for the water used in a public water spray park.
