Cryptosporidium enteritis
Cryptosporidium enteritis is an infection of the small intestine that causes diarrhea. The parasite cryptosporidium causes this infection.
Causes
Cryptosporidium has recently been recognized as a cause of diarrhea worldwide in all age groups. It has a greater effect on people with a weakened immune system, including:
- People who take medicines to suppress their immune system
-
People with HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...
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In these groups, this infection is not just bothersome, but can lead to severe and life-threatening loss of muscle and body mass (wasting) and malnutrition.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is the condition that occurs when your body does not get enough nutrients.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleThe major risk factor is drinking water contaminated with stool (feces). People at higher risk include:
- Animal handlers
- People who are in close contact with infected people
- Young children
Outbreaks have been linked to:
- Drinking from contaminated public water supplies
- Drinking unpasteurized cider
- Swimming in contaminated pools and lakes
Some outbreaks have been very large.
Symptoms
Symptoms of infection include:
- Abdominal cramping
Abdominal cramping
Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Diarrhea, which is often watery, non-bloody, large-volume, and occurs many times a day
-
General sick feeling (malaise)
Malaise
Malaise is a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or lack of well-being.
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- Nausea
Exams and Tests
These tests may be done:
- Antibody test to see if cryptosporidium is in the stool
- Intestinal biopsy (rare)
- Stool exam with special techniques (AFB staining)
- Stool exam using a microscope to look for the parasites and their eggs
Stool exam
Stool ova and parasites exam is a lab test to look for parasites or eggs (ova) in a stool sample. The parasites are associated with intestinal infec...
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Treatment
There are several treatments for cryptosporidium enteritis.
The best approach is to improve immune function in people who have a weakened immune system. In people with HIV/AIDS, this can be done by using HIV-antiviral medicines. Using this type of treatment can lead to a complete remission of cryptosporidium enteritis.
Medicines such as nitazoxanide have been used in children and adults. Other medicines that are sometimes used include:
- Nitazoxanide
- Paromomycin
These medicines often help only for a little while. It is common for the infection to return.
Outlook (Prognosis)
In healthy people, the infection will clear up, but it can last up to a month. In people with a weakened immune system, long-term diarrhea may cause weight loss and malnutrition.
Weakened immune system
Immunodeficiency disorders occur when the body's immune response is reduced or absent.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticlePossible Complications
These complications can occur:
- Inflammation of a bile duct
- Inflammation of the gallbladder
- Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
- Malabsorption (not enough nutrients being absorbed from the intestinal tract)
Malabsorption
Malabsorption involves problems with the body's ability to take in (absorb) nutrients from food.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Loss of body mass that causes extreme thinness and weakness (wasting syndrome)
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your health care provider if you develop watery diarrhea that does not go away within a few days, especially if you have a weakened immune system.
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 have a weakened immune system, ask your provider if you need to boil your water.
Reviewed By
Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Huston CD. Intestinal protozoa. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 113.
Warren CA, Lima AAM. Cryptosporidiosis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 321.
White AC. Cryptosporidiosis (Cryptosporidium species). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 282.