Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium, sometimes informally called crypto, is a genus of apicomplexan parasitic alveolates that can cause a respiratory and gastrointestinal illness (cryptosporidiosis) that primarily involves watery diarrhea (intestinal cryptosporidiosis) with or without a persistent cough (respiratory cryptosporidiosis) in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient humans.[1][2]
Cryptosporidium | |
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Cryptosporidium muris oocysts found in human feces. | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Clade: | SAR |
Infrakingdom: | Alveolata |
Phylum: | Apicomplexa |
Class: | Conoidasida |
Order: | Eucoccidiorida |
Suborder: | Eimeriorina |
Family: | Cryptosporidiidae |
Genus: | Cryptosporidium Tyzzer, 1907 |
Species | |
Cryptosporidium andersoni |
Treatment of gastrointestinal infection in humans involves fluid rehydration, electrolyte replacement, and management of any pain. As of January 2015[update], nitazoxanide is the only drug approved for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis in immunocompetent hosts.[3] Supplemental zinc may improve symptoms,[3] particularly in recurrent or persistent infections or in others at risk for zinc deficiency. Cryptosporidium oocysts are 4–6 μm in diameter and exhibit partial acid-fast staining. They must be differentiated from other partially acid-fast organisms including Cyclospora cayetanensis.