Cryptosporidium related diarrhoea

Abstract

Cryptosporidium is an apicomplexan parasite which causes self limited diarrhoea in immuno-competent persons and severe life threatening disease in immuno-compromised individuals, particularly, to patients suffering from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Because of increased incidence of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the protozoan parasite has found the human host to be ideal for perpetuation and propagation, resulting in a natural amplification of this parasite. Much less is known about Cryptosporidium in India, although, it is clear that this parasite is going to be a major enteric pathogen in coming years, considering the increasing number of HIV cases that are being reported in this country. This presentation reviews the current advances in our knowledge about the clinical significance, epidemiology and treatment of cryptosporidiosis.