Infectious diseases >>>> Cryptosporidiosis - causes of infection and treatment

Cryptosporidiosis - causes of infection and treatment.

Cryptosporidiosis is an infectious disease that affects fish, reptiles, birds, mammals and humans as well. The causative agent of cryptosporidiosis is a microorganism cryptosporidium of the protozoan Apicomplexa type. Of the six species of microorganisms of the genus Cryptosporidium known to date, Cryptosporidium parvum causes the disease in humans.

Infection with cryptosporidia occurs through contact with an infected animal or person, through the fecal-oral route. Cryptosporidium often gets into water or food and in this way infects a healthy body. Oocysts (cells containing four motile spores - sporozoite embryos) enter the gastrointestinal tract. For the development of the disease, one oocyst that has entered the gastrointestinal tract is enough. Located on the intestinal epithelium and partially invading the epithelial cell (villi), the parasite forms a protective membrane and is in an intermediate position between intracellular and extracellular existence. Attaching to the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract, cryptosporidium grows, multiplies and affects the adjacent cells of the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract, disrupting the processes of digestion and absorption of nutrients.

The results of the vital activity of cryptosporidium cause diarrhea and intestinal dyspeptic disorders. Diarrhea may be accompanied by vomiting and fever. Cryptosporidiosis causes dehydration, nausea, dizziness, headache, and myalgia. Sometimes cryptosporidiosis is asymptomatic. This happens if the microorganism infects the epithelium of the stomach, not the intestine. The incubation period can take from 4 days to two weeks. An animal or person is a source of infection even several weeks after the signs of the disease have disappeared.

The most vulnerable to cryptosporidiosis are children, the elderly with poor health, people with reduced immunity, and people who are immunocompromised. With a normally functioning immune system, the signs of cryptosporidiosis (watery diarrhea) go away on their own after 2-14 days, but in cases with immunodeficiency states, the process is delayed for several months and can become a threat to the patient's life.

Cryptosporidium oocysts are resistant to environmental changes, resistant to disinfectants (including chlorination), but die when heated to 72 degrees Celsius in a minute. It is the natural resistance of cryptosporidium oocysts that is an obstacle to the ideal water purification in sewage treatment plants. And the microscopic size allows Cryptosporidium oocysts to bypass most filters.

Treatment for cryptosporidiosis does not have a reliable way and consists in maintaining the health of the sick person by restoring water and electrolyte balance, stopping diarrhea, supporting the immune system and diet. For serious violations of the digestive processes, infusion solutions are used. To date, there are no means to finally get rid of cryptosporidiosis.

It is possible to prevent infection with cryptosporidiosis by observing hygiene and sanitary-epidemiological regime: washing hands thoroughly, boiling water for drinking, thermally treating food. It should be borne in mind that even bottled water may not be thoroughly purified enough.