Sarah Galang and Brian Cupitt

CRYPTOSPORIDIUM

WHAT IS IT?

• A microscopic genus of parasites that has been recognized as the worldwide cause of diarrheal disease

• most common: C. parvum and C. homonis

• Lives in the intestines of humans and animals and while in the bowels, the parasite draws water out of the cells

SYMPTOMS

Beside watery diarrhea, the most common symptoms of cryptosporidium are:

• Stomach cramps and pain

• Nausea

• Dehydration

• Vomiting

• Weight loss

• **Death may occur to those with suppressed immune systems (i.e. HIV/AIDS or recent transplant recipients)

EXPOSURE

• The parasite has an outer shell that allows it to live outside the human body so it can enter the body via:

• Contaminated drinking water

• Drinking water from swimming pools

• Passed from person to person (physical contact)

• Eating raw/contaminated food

• Exposure to human/animal feces

HOW IT IS SPREAD

TREATMENT/PREVENTION

• Those with healthy immune systems can recover without treatment by simple staying hydrated, anti-diarrheal medication if necessary

• Those with suppressed immune systems are recommended to visit healthcare providers, as their illness may be life threatening

• Crypto can be easily avoided with clean hygiene (good hygiene, minimizing all contact with feces and infected people, washing hands before touching anything that may be ingested)

RESPIRATORY INFECTION

• In 2007, Tufts University conducted clinical trials in a hospital in Uganda that was treating young children for diarrhea

• It was observed that many of the children experienced coughing and trouble with breathing along with their diarrhea

• Fecal samples were initially tested for the parasite, then out of those that tested positive for cryptosporidium, their sputum (mucus) was then tested

RESULTS

• Out of 926 samples:

• 116 were positive for digestive Cryptosporidium

• 17 demonstrated signs of respiratory infection

CONCLUSIONS: Cryptosporidium may be transmitted through respiratory, thus making society more susceptible to the infection

CRYPTO TODAY

• Today, researchers are using a system of molecular tracking of DNA to discern more about disease transmission from person to person in order to prevent outbreaks

• The same system is used to link the respiratory infection with the digestive infection

• With at least 30 different species of Crytosporidium, researchers are trying to find out which ones are most prevalent and most lethal

WORKS CITED

• Center of Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/crypto/

• National Institute of Health: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000617.htm

• Clinical Trials: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00507871