Cryptosporidium: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:40, 4 April 2015

Protozoa causing diarrhea.
- Oocysts are 4-6 µm in diameter and exhibit partial acid-fast staining.
Mostly commonly seen in HIV+
Most common cause of chronic diarrhea in HIV patients.

Symptoms usually appear one week after infection which include:

If patient non-sick appearing and not immunocompromised, medication often not needed
Antiparasitics such as nitazoxanide for immunocompromised patients
IV/PO hydration if dehydration present
If patient not on HAART therapy, consider contacting HIV/ID for initiating therapies

Most of these patient's can be discharged with close PMD/HIV follow up.
If patient has electrolyte abnormalities or severely dehydrated consider observation placement vs admission for rehydration therapy

↑ Marx et al. “Cholera and Gastroenteritis caused by Noncholera Vibrio Species”. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine 8th edition vol 1 pg 1245-1246.

Authors:

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 ==Background==
-Cryptosporidium is an protozoa that can cause diarrhea. Cryptosporidium is mostly commonly seen in HIV positive patients and is the most common cause of chronic diarrhea in HIV patients. Cryptosporidium oocysts are 4-6 µm in diameter and exhibit partial acid-fast staining.
+*Protozoa causing diarrhea.
+**Oocysts are 4-6 µm in diameter and exhibit partial acid-fast staining.
+*Mostly commonly seen in HIV+
+*Most common cause of chronic diarrhea in HIV patients.
-Environmental exposures include: People who swim regularly in pools with insufficient sanitation, hikers who drink untreated water, people who handle infected cattle.
+==Environmental Exposures==
+*Swim regularly in pools with insufficient sanitation.
+*Hikers who drink untreated water.
+*Handling infected cattle.
 ==Clinical Presentation==