Cryptosporidiosis (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Cryptosporidium enteritis is an infection of the small intestine with the parasite Cryptosporidium that causes diarrhea. | Cryptosporidium enteritis is an infection of the small intestine with the parasite Cryptosporidium that causes [[diarrhea]]. | ||
==What causes Cryptosporidiosis?== | ==What causes Cryptosporidiosis?== | ||
Cryptosporidium has recently been recognized as a worldwide cause of diarrhea in all age groups. Its major impact has been among those with weakened immune systems, including: | Cryptosporidium has recently been recognized as a worldwide cause of diarrhea in all age groups. Its major impact has been among those with weakened immune systems, including: | ||
* People who take medications to suppress their immune system | * People who take medications to suppress their immune system | ||
* People with HIV or AIDS | * People with [[HIV]] or [[AIDS]] | ||
* Transplant recipients | * Transplant recipients | ||
In these groups, this diarrheal infection is not just bothersome, but it also also can lead to severe and life-threatening loss of muscle and body mass (wasting) and malnutrition. The major risk factor is swallowing water contaminated with fecal matter. Those at higher risk include: | In these groups, this diarrheal infection is not just bothersome, but it also also can lead to severe and life-threatening loss of muscle and body mass (wasting) and [[malnutrition]]. The major risk factor is swallowing water contaminated with fecal matter. Those at higher risk include: | ||
* Animal handlers | * Animal handlers | ||
* Men who have sex with men | * Men who have sex with men | ||
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==What are the symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis?== | ==What are the symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis?== | ||
* Abdominal cramping | * Abdominal cramping | ||
* Diarrhea, which is usually watery, large-volume, and many times a day | * [[Diarrhea]], which is usually watery, large-volume, and many times a day | ||
* Malaise | * [[Malaise]] | ||
* Malnutrition and weight loss (in severe cases) | * [[Malnutrition]] and [[weight loss]] (in severe cases) | ||
* Nausea | * [[Nausea]] | ||
==Who is at highest risk?== | ==Who is at highest risk?== | ||
Persons who are immunocompromised are at increased risks of having the diseases | Persons who are [[immunocompromised]] are at increased risks of having the diseases | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
* Antibody test to see if Cryptosporidium are in the stool | * Antibody test to see if Cryptosporidium are in the stool | ||
* Intestinal biopsy (rare) | * Intestinal [[biopsy]] (rare) | ||
* Stool examination with special techniques (called AFB staining) | * Stool examination with special techniques (called AFB staining) | ||
* Stool ova and | * Stool [[ova]] and [[parasite]]s exam using a microscope | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
There are several treatments for cryptosporidium enteritis. | 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: | Drugs such as nitazoxanide have been used in children and adults. Other drugs that are sometimes used include: | ||
* Atovaquone | * [[Atovaquone]] | ||
* Azithromycin | * [[Azithromycin]] | ||
* Metronidazole | * [[Metronidazole]] | ||
* Paromomycin | * [[Paromomycin]] | ||
* Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole | * [[Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole]] | ||
However, these drugs often only help for a little while. It is common for the infection to return.The best approach is to improve the immune status in people who have a weakened immune system. This can be done by using highly active antiviral therapy in people with AIDS. It can lead to a complete remission of cryptosporidium enteritis. | However, these drugs often only help for a little while. It is common for the infection to return. The best approach is to improve the immune status in people who have a weakened immune system. This can be done by using highly active antiviral therapy in people with [[AIDS]]. It can lead to a complete remission of cryptosporidium enteritis. | ||
==Where to find medical care for Cryptosporidiosis?== | ==Where to find medical care for Cryptosporidiosis?== | ||
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==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
In healthy people, the infection will clear up, but it can last up to a month. In people who are immunosuppressed, long-term diarrhea may cause weight loss and malnutrition. | In healthy people, the infection will clear up, but it can last up to a month. In people who are immunosuppressed, long-term diarrhea may cause [[weight loss]] and [[malnutrition]]. | ||
==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
* Cholangitis (inflammation of a bile duct) | * [[Cholangitis]] (inflammation of a bile duct) | ||
* Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) | * [[Cholecystitis]] (inflammation of the gallbladder) | ||
* Hepatitis | * [[Hepatitis]] | ||
* Malabsorption (not enough nutrients being absorbed from the intestinal tract) | * [[Malabsorption]] (not enough nutrients being absorbed from the intestinal tract) | ||
* Pancreatitis | * [[Pancreatitis]] | ||
* Wasting syndrome (loss of body mass where the person becomes very thin and weak) | * [[Wasting syndrome]] (loss of body mass where the person becomes very thin and weak) | ||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
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==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
Proper sanitation and hygiene, including handwashing, are important measures for preventing this illness. | 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 are immunosuppressed, ask your doctor if you need to boil your water. | 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 are immunosuppressed, ask your doctor if you need to boil your water. | ||
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{{WS}} | {{WS}} | ||
[[Category:Patient information]] | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
Latest revision as of 19:03, 26 December 2012
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
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Cryptosporidiosis |
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Cryptosporidiosis On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Cryptosporidium enteritis is an infection of the small intestine with the parasite Cryptosporidium that causes diarrhea.
What causes Cryptosporidiosis?
Cryptosporidium has recently been recognized as a worldwide cause of diarrhea in all age groups. Its major impact has been among those with weakened immune systems, including:
- People who take medications to suppress their immune system
- People with HIV or AIDS
- Transplant recipients
In these groups, this diarrheal infection is not just bothersome, but it also also can lead to severe and life-threatening loss of muscle and body mass (wasting) and malnutrition. The major risk factor is swallowing water contaminated with fecal matter. Those at higher risk include:
- Animal handlers
- Men who have sex with men
- People in close contact with infected individuals
- Young children
Outbreaks have been linked to:
- Drinking from contaminated public water supplies
- Drinking unpasteurized cider
- Swimming in contaminated pools and lakes
What are the symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis?
- Abdominal cramping
- Diarrhea, which is usually watery, large-volume, and many times a day
- Malaise
- Malnutrition and weight loss (in severe cases)
- Nausea
Who is at highest risk?
Persons who are immunocompromised are at increased risks of having the diseases
Diagnosis
- Antibody test to see if Cryptosporidium are in the stool
- Intestinal biopsy (rare)
- Stool examination with special techniques (called AFB staining)
- Stool ova and parasites exam using a microscope
Treatment options
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:
However, these drugs often only help for a little while. It is common for the infection to return. The best approach is to improve the immune status in people who have a weakened immune system. This can be done by using highly active antiviral therapy in people with AIDS. It can lead to a complete remission of cryptosporidium enteritis.
Where to find medical care for Cryptosporidiosis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Cryptosporidiosis
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
In healthy people, the infection will clear up, but it can last up to a month. In people who are immunosuppressed, long-term diarrhea may cause weight loss and malnutrition.
Possible complications
- Cholangitis (inflammation of a bile duct)
- Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
- Hepatitis
- Malabsorption (not enough nutrients being absorbed from the intestinal tract)
- Pancreatitis
- Wasting syndrome (loss of body mass where the person becomes very thin and weak)
When to seek urgent medical care?
Notify your health care provider if you develop watery diarrhea that does not go away within a few days, especially if you are immunosuppressed.
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 are immunosuppressed, ask your doctor if you need to boil your water.
Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cryptosporidiosis.html Template:WH Template:WS