| Disease/Syndrome |
Cryptosporidiosis |
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| Category |
Infection, Occupational |
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| Acute/Chronic |
Acute-Moderate |
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| Synonyms |
Cryptosporidium parvum infection |
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| Biomedical References |
Search PubMed |
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| Comments |
Cryptosporidiosis causes a self-limited gastroenteritis that resolves in less than 30 days in immunologically healthy patients. Diarrhea and abdominal cramping are the most common symptoms. Biliary tract infection and cholecystitis occur in immunocompromised patients. Infection can occur in workers exposed to feces of infected farm animals (animal handlers) or to feces of infected children (daycare center employees). [CCDM, p. 138-41] Farm animals include cows, goats, turkeys, and others. Transmission may occur by sexual contact (fecal-oral). [Current Consult, p. 268, 870] In developed countries, most patients are adults with 5-10 days of diarrhea, cramping, and fever. Vomiting may occur, but is not as common as in other diarrheal illnesses. In developing countries, most patients are children with diarrhea lasting over 14 days in 50% of cases. Fever is present in a minority of cases. Oocysts can be removed from water by filtration but not by chlorination. Supportive treatment is indicated for most patients. Several drugs have shown some benefits in controlled studies. [PPID, p. 3219-23] |
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| Latency/Incubation |
About 7 days; estimated range of 1-12 days; |
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| Diagnostic |
Test 3 stool specimens over 3-5 days to detect oocysts in fecal smears. Immunofluorescence microscopy (DFA) improves sensitivity and specificity to 99-100%. [Current Consult, p. 268] |
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| ICD-9 Code |
136.8 |
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| Scope |
Global; Higher risk for travelers to developing countries exposed to contaminated water and food; [CDC Travel, p. 129] |
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| Reference Link |
CDC - Cryptosporidiosis |
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| Related Information in Haz-Map |
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| Symptoms/Findings |
Symptoms/Findings associated with this disease:
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| Job Tasks |
High risk job tasks associated with this disease:
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