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
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 Cryptosporidium bailey Cryptosporidium bovis Cryptosporidium cervine Cryptosporidium canis Cryptosporidium cuniculus Cryptosporidium ducismarci Cryptosporidium fayeri Cryptosporidium felis Cryptosporidium fragile Cryptosporidium galli Cryptosporidium hominis Cryptosporidium marcopodum Cryptosporidium meleagridis Cryptosporidium molnari Cryptosporidium muris Cryptosporidium parvum Cryptosporidium ryanae Cryptosporidium saurophilum Cryptosporidium serpentis Cryptosporidium suis Cryptosporidium ubiquitum Cryptosporidium viatorum Cryptosporidium wrairi Cryptosporidium xiaoi

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.