Infection of gastrointestinal tract with intestinal pathogens is leading cause of morbidity and mortality all over world. The most common mode of transmission of any enteric microorganism is by ingesting water and food contaminated with human and animal feces. Cryptosporidium spp. is one such species of protozoa responsible for intestinal cryptosporidiosis. It is a highly contagious disease producing host of symptoms that include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and various other symptoms.
Most people recover from the sickness within few days. However, it can be a serious illness sometimes even life threatening in very young, elderly and patients suffering from compromised immunity particularly those suffering from HIV infection.
How Do You Get Intestinal Cryptosporidiosis?
Intestinal cryptosporidiosis is disease caused by a parasite called cryptosporidium. This pathogen lives in infected human and animal intestine. Cryptosporidium parvum and cryptosporidium hominis are the two most prevalent species to cause illness in humans. An infected person or the animal passes the germs in his stool. A person suffers from intestinal cryptosporidiosis when he eats or drinks water that is contaminated with feces of an infected human or animal.
- Eating food or drinking water that is contaminated with feces of an infected human or animal.
- Swallowing recreational water from swimming pool, hot tubs, rivers, spring, ponds etc that is contaminated with fecal material. In many parts of the world waterborne contamination of this parasite is known to cause widespread disease outbreak of intestinal cryptosporidiosis. The parasite is resistant to chlorine and as well as other disinfectants. Hence it can spread among people who may accidentally swallow swimming pool water contaminated with this pathogen.
- The germs can also spread from hand to mouth contact. The germs can be found on surfaces and soil contaminated with infected human feces. Thus transmission can take place by touching bathroom objects and taps that have been contaminated with unwashed hands.
- Eating uncooked food contaminated with infected feces.
- Coming in contact with human feces during sexual intercourse.
Signs And Symptoms Of Cryptosporidiosis
The symptoms usually start after a week of exposure to cryptosporidium and can last for 10 to 15 days. However, in some people the symptoms may prolong for a period of time. In such patients the symptoms may become better for few days and again get become worse. Following are the symptoms of intestinal cryptosporidiosis:
- Watery diarrhea that occurs frequently.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Lack of weight
- Dehydration
- Stomach cramps
People who are likely to get infected are; children attending day care center, travelers, hikers and campers, people accidentally swallowing infected water while swimming, person handling animals infected with the pathogen, etc.
Weight loss and malnutrition are consequences in people having prolonged illness. The disease is potentially fatal complication among people suffering from AIDS. In toddlers the disease is associated with poor cognitive function and failure to thrive.
Diagnosis And Treatment Of Cryptosporidiosis
Diagnosis of intestinal cryptosporidiosis can be confirmed with stool examination under microscope. Often many samples may be required as the organism is very small to be detected under normal microscope.
Intestinal cryptosporidiosis in a healthy human being is not a serious illness and in majority of cases the condition is cured within few days or a week after the onset of symptoms. However, to prevent the risk of dehydration, patient may need to replenish with fluids and electrolyte solution.
Sometimes patient may need intravenous fluids if there is sustained vomiting and diarrhea. Together with re-hydration therapy patient may also need some anti diarrheal medicine. For patient with HIV infection, drugs may be needed to boost immune system.