Definition

Cryptosporidiosis is caused by a parasite Cryptosporidium parvum (not cryptococcus which is a fungus).

• The infection does not cause rheumatic symptoms, but in a weakened immune system such as during immunosuppressive, anti-rheumatic treatment, after organ transplantation or in HIV infection, the infection can become severe

Contamination

Fecal-oral via infected drinking water or from swimming pool

Symptoms

Acute gastroenteritis as in otherwise healthy persons. The infection proceeds self-limiting and short-term (2-10 days).

• Stomach pain, abdominal cramps and diarrhea
• Not bloody
• Fever occurs

In case of immunosuppression and AIDS, the disease can be severe and fatal.

Among HIV-positive cryptosporidum is the most common cause of diarrhea.

Literature

• Shrivastava AK, 2017

Opportunistic infections, BINDEVEVSSYKDOMMER.no

• Bindevevssykdommer.no
• Vaskulitt.no