[Cryptosporidiosis. Characterization of a new infection with special regard to water as the source of infection]

Abstract

Within the past few years, microorganisms of the Genus Cryptosporidium have been recognized as an important pathogen to humans. A possible mode of transmission is represented by the presence of Cryptosporidium-oocysts in water. Meanwhile several outbreaks of diarrheal illness caused by the contamination of drinking water by Cryptosporidium have been documented; an infection can be life-threatening for immunosuppressed patients. This article reviews the organism causing Cryptosporidiosis, his ecology, the clinical feature, the sources of infection and the epidemiology. The remarkable resistance of the oocysts to disinfectants, such like chlorine, their survival for a long time and the low infectious dose shows evidently that the conservative guidelines in treatment and quality control of drinking water should be discussed newly.