Cryptosporidium: Difference between revisions

Line 23: Line 23:
* If patient non-sick appearing and not immunocompromised, medication often not needed
* If patient non-sick appearing and not immunocompromised, medication often not needed
* Antiparasitics such as nitazoxanide for immunocompromised patients
* Antiparasitics such as nitazoxanide for immunocompromised patients
* IV/PO hydration if dehydration present
* If patient not on HAART therapy, consider contacting HIV/ID for initiating therapies


==Disposition==
==Disposition==

Revision as of 19:38, 27 March 2015

Background

Cryptosporidium is an protozoa that can cause diarrhea. Cryptosporidium is mostly commonly seen in HIV positive patients and is the most common cause of chronic diarrhea in HIV patients. Cryptosporidium oocysts are 4-6 µm in diameter and exhibit partial acid-fast staining.

Environmental exposures include: People who swim regularly in pools with insufficient sanitation, hikers who drink untreated water, people who handle infected cattle.

Clinical Presentation

Symptoms usually appear one week after infection which include:

  • watery diarrhea
  • dehydration
  • stomach cramps/pain
  • weight loss
  • fever
  • nausea/vomiting

Differential Diagnosis

Acute diarrhea

Infectious

Noninfectious

Watery Diarrhea

Traveler's Diarrhea

Diagnosis

  • Stool acid-staining test
  • Stool Culture

Management

  • If patient non-sick appearing and not immunocompromised, medication often not needed
  • Antiparasitics such as nitazoxanide for immunocompromised patients
  • IV/PO hydration if dehydration present
  • If patient not on HAART therapy, consider contacting HIV/ID for initiating therapies

Disposition

See Also

External Links

References

  1. Marx et al. “Cholera and Gastroenteritis caused by Noncholera Vibrio Species”. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine 8th edition vol 1 pg 1245-1246.