title: An outbreak of cryptosporidiosis among alpaca crias and their human caregivers.
abstract: METHODS
  6 alpaca crias from a single farm were examined because of diarrhea (n = 4) or decreased fecal production (n = 2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cryptosporidium parvum was identified by means of fecal flotation in samples from 5 of the 6 crias, and a diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis was made. In the remaining cria, a presumptive diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis was made. Three people involved in caring for the crias from this farm were subsequently confirmed to have cryptosporidiosis, and 3 other people were suspected to have cryptosporidiosis. Sequence analysis of the ssu rDNA gene loci confirmed C parvum as the causative agent in 4 of the 6 crias. Subsequent evaluation of the farm revealed 2 additional crias confirmed to have cryptosporidiosis. Stocking densities on the farm were high, with approximately 20 adults/acre in some pastures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 6 hospitalized crias were given supportive treatment consisting of antimicrobials, gastroprotectants, and fluids. All but 1 survived. Farm owners were advised to decrease stocking density on the farm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggested that zoonotic transmission of C parvum from alpacas to humans can occur.
authors.affiliation: Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
authors.forename: Simon R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Starkey
authors.forename: Amy L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Peter E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Ziegler
authors.forename: Hussni O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Mohammed
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D002161:Camelids, New World / Q000469:parasitology*; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000635:transmission* / Q000662:veterinary*; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011156:Population Density; D015047:Zoonoses