Cryptosporidiosis is a parasitic disease caused by Cryptosporidium, a protozoan parasite in the phylum Apicomplexa. It affects the intestines of mammals and is typically an acute short-term infection. It is spread through the fecal-oral route; the main symptom is self-limiting diarrhea in people with intact immune systems. In immunocompromised individuals, such as AIDS patients, the symptoms are particularly severe and often fatal. Despite not being identified until 1976, it is one of the most common waterborne diseases and is found worldwide. The parasite is transmitted by environmentally hardy cysts (oocysts) that, once ingested, excyst in the small intestine and result in an infection of intestinal epithelial tissueThere is no reliable treatment for cryptosporidium enteritis -- certain agents such as paromomycin, atovaquone, nitazoxanide, and azithromycin are sometimes used, but they usually have only temporary effects.[citation needed]
In the immuno-competent 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 and ends with spontaneous recovery.
In the immunocompromised however, in immunocompromised individuals—such as AIDS patients—cryptosporidiosis resolves slowly or not at all, and frequently causes a particularly severe and permanent form of watery diarrhea coupled with a greatly decreased ability to absorb key nutrients through the intestinal tract. The result is progressively severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, malnutrition, wasting, and eventual death. The mortality rate for infected AIDS patients is generally based on CD4 marker counts; patients with CD4 counts over 180 cells/m³ generally recover with supportive hospital care and medication, but in patients with CD4
counts below 50 cells/m³, the effects are usually fatal within three to six months. During the Milwaukee cryptosporidiosis epidemic (the largest of its kind), 73% of of AIDS patients with CD4 counts lower than 50 cells/m³ and 36% of those with counts between 50 and 200 cells/m³ died within the first year of contracting the infection.
In the immuno-competent 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 and ends with spontaneous recovery.
In the immunocompromised however, in immunocompromised individuals—such as AIDS patients—cryptosporidiosis resolves slowly or not at all, and frequently causes a particularly severe and permanent form of watery diarrhea coupled with a greatly decreased ability to absorb key nutrients through the intestinal tract. The result is progressively severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, malnutrition, wasting, and eventual death. The mortality rate for infected AIDS patients is generally based on CD4 marker counts; patients with CD4 counts over 180 cells/m³ generally recover with supportive hospital care and medication, but in patients with CD4
counts below 50 cells/m³, the effects are usually fatal within three to six months. During the Milwaukee cryptosporidiosis epidemic (the largest of its kind), 73% of of AIDS patients with CD4 counts lower than 50 cells/m³ and 36% of those with counts between 50 and 200 cells/m³ died within the first year of contracting the infection.Currently, the best approach is to improve the immune status in immunodeficient individuals. The probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii sold over the counter in pharmacies and health shops (Brand name Florastor in US and DiarSafe in UK) has been found to be a helpful natural treatment in managing diarrhoea of various infectious origins including cryptosporidium
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