Cryptosporidiosis Clinical Case

Question 1

what is Cryptosporidium?

Answer 1

protozoal pathogen
affects humans, cattle, mammals
mostly host specific

Question 2

what are the two significant Cryptosporidium species in humans?

Answer 2

C. parvum and C. hominis

Question 3

which species of Cryptosporidium is zoonotic?

Answer 3

C. parvum

Question 4

what species of Cryptosporidium is significant in cattle?

Answer 4

C. parvum

Question 5

what body system is typically affected by Cryptosporidium?

Answer 5

GI tract

Question 6

which cattle industry is most affected by Cryptosporidium?

Answer 6

dairy industry
#2 cause of D in calves

Question 7

how does Cryptosporidium cause disease?

Answer 7

fecal-oral ingestion of thick-walled oocysts

Question 8

how many sporozoites are in the ingested Cryptosporidium oocysts?

Answer 8

4

Question 9

where does Cryptosporidium begin to excyst?

Answer 9

proximal duodenum

Question 10

which is normal villi and which is affected by C. parvum?

Answer 10

Right = villus atrophy/blunting

Question 11

common clinical signs of Cryptosporidium

Answer 11

watery D, dehydration, abdominal pain, weight loss, fever, death

Question 12

what are treatment options for Cryptosporidium?

Answer 12

NO effective drug treatments
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Question 13

what is the only FDA approved drug for Cryptosporidium?

Answer 13

Nitazoxanide
BUT does not help immunocompromised pts