要約

• Disease caused by the Apicomplexan protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium.
• Laboratory diagnosis is required, usually by detection of oocysts or antigens in stool samples.
• Presents as watery diarrhoea, often with severe abdominal pain, commonly lasting >7 days.
• The disease is self-limiting in immunocompetent patients.
• Patients who are severely immunocompromised may suffer chronic, severe, and intractable disease. Most at risk are those with T-cell immune deficiencies, notably advanced HIV infection, or primary T-cell immune deficiencies, and those with haematological malignancies, particularly children.
• Nitazoxanide may be used for treatment of cryptosporidiosis in immunocompetent people >1 year of age.
• Cryptosporidium has caused outbreaks associated with, for example, contaminated drinking water supplies, swimming pools, children's day care facilities, and petting farms.