title: Cryptosporidium infection in patients with primary immunodeficiencies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cryptosporidium species infection is usually self-limited in immunocompetent populations, but can be severe and life-threatening among immunocompromised individuals, particularly in patients with AIDS and in these patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs).
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of 5 patients with genetically confirmed hyper-IgM syndrome type 1 (XHIM) and one patient with primary CD4 lymphopenia were enrolled in the study. At least 2 stool samples and a bile sample in one patient were examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts by a modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique, by immunofluorescence assay using a commercial kit, as well as by molecular analysis followed by genotyping. Immunological status at the time of PID diagnosis and the complex picture of disease are presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Chronic cryptosporidiosis was confirmed in 3 patients with XHIM and in one patient with primary CD4 lymphopenia. Molecular diagnosis showed the presence of C parvum, C hominis, and C meleagridis in analyzed specimens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cryptosporidium infection with serious clinical symptoms observed in patients with hyper-IgM syndrome calls for regular, repeated screening in this group of patients.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Immunology Clinic, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Italy. bwolska@interia.pl
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wolska-Kusnierz
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bajer
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caccio
authors.forename: Edyta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heropolitanska-Pliszka
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bernatowska
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Socha
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Dongen
authors.forename: Malgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bednarska
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paziewska
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sinski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D053306:Hyper-IgM Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010303:Paromomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011044:Poland; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018344:T-Lymphocytopenia, Idiopathic CD4-Positive / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D010303:Paromomycin; D017963:Azithromycin