title: Severe cryptosporidiosis in an immunocompetent host.
abstract: Cryptosporidiosis is increasingly recognized as a significant human pathogen. Previous reports have emphasized the benign, self-limited nature of the illness in the immunocompetent adult. In contrast, immunodeficient hosts have severe, frequently unremitting illness. We describe a case in which an individual, with no evidence of immunodeficiency and negative human immunodeficiency virus serologic findings, was admitted with a five-week history of severe diarrhea, marked weight loss, and renal failure probably as a consequence of cryptosporidiosis. The patient's renal function returned to normal with hydration, and his diarrhea resolved without specific therapy. At a six-month follow-up, the patient was in excellent health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Naval Hospital, San Diego, CA 92134-5000.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Edelman
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Oldfield
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008297:Male