Cryptosporidium and cryptosporidiosis.
The tiny, iodine- and chlorine-resistant protozoan oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum, long recognized by veterinarians, have become increasingly noted as a cause of watery diarrhea in developed and developing countries throughout the world. For immunocompromised patients, particularly those with AIDS, this diarrhea can be severe and life-threatening. Clovis Martins and Richard Guerrant here discuss the increasing recognition of this important pathogen in immunocompetent patients as well, and outline new challenges to improved water treatment, immunologic and antiparasite chemotherapy.
Division of Geographic and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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