CRYPTOSPORIDIDASIS

Dr. Vijayakumar Unki

Asst Professor
VCG
 Taxonomy

•Phyllum-Apicomplexa
•Class –Sporozoea
•Subclass –Coccidia
• Order –Eucoccidiorida
• Suborder -Eimeriina
• Family–Cryptosporididae
 Introduction
• Identified by Tyzzer - 1907 in laboratory mice and
named it as C. muris.
• An important acute short term infection in immuno-
compramised patients and young ones.
• Oocysts arevery small measuring about (1/3-1/4) ie
(5into4) micrometer of Eimeria species (15into25)
micrometer.
• P/S is Brush border epithelial cells of small intestine
mainly jejunum.
• They are intracellular but extra cytoplasmic they are
present in parasitophorus vacuole.
 There are about 23species of cryptosporidia are present.
1. C. andersoni –Man, cattle
2. C. parvum - cattle, sheep ,goat, horse, man
3. C. bovis –cattle
4. C. hominis –Man
5. C. galli –chicken
6. C. meleagridis –Turkey
7. C. felis –Cat
8. C. canis -Dog
9. C. suis –pig ,
10.10.C. muris –Mice
 Modes of transmission

There are 2 Modes of transmission

1. Oral route –common in all species

2. Respiratory route –common in birds

 Life cycle of cryptosporidia
• Infected host excrete sporulated oocyst containing 4 sporozoites
Through it’s feces. These sporulated oocyst get ingested by host.
• Excystation takes place in S I and sporozoites get released and
parasitize in brush border epithelial cells where the parasite undergo
asexual reproduction (schizogony or merogony) they become
schizounts which produce 8 merozoites They are called as 1st
generation or type 1 schizonts.
• These schizozoites infect the new epithelial cells and become 2nd
generation or type 2 schizonts and produce 4 merozoites or
sporozoites.
After 2 generations of asexual reproduction they switch on to sexual
reproduction.
Fertilization of micro and macrogamont results in formation of Zygote cyst wall
Formation takes place to produce oocyst.

2 types of Oocyst are produced. Firstly Thick oocyst wall which is of 80% passed
out in faecal sample. Secondly Thin oocyst wall which is of 20% which get rupture
in intestine responsible for autoinfection.

Prepatent period is 2 -12days.

In Respiratory route - Damage the alveolar epithelial cells.
In birds mortality though R I tract is 30%
 Pathogenesis and clinical signs
Since the p\s is Jejunum merozoites rupture the cell membrane cause severe
diarrhoea.
Damage caused by cryptosporidia is less compare to Eimeria species
Reduces the absorption of nutrients in villi results in malabsorption and
diarrhoea.
In young ones and Immunocompramised patients (HIV) Cryptosporidiosis is very
common causes severe dehydration and animal may collapse.
Watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, fever, weight
loss.
 Diagnosis
• Faecal sample examination -3 faecal sample should be examined which
are collected on 3 different days because oocyst are passed irregularly
in faeces.
• Ocysts are very sm all in size difficult to identify from faecal sample
examination.
1.Faecal sample is smeared and stained with Modified Ziehl Neilson
acid fast stain. Cryptosporidial organisms takes Blue color.
2.Immunological and serological
techniques –ELISA, IIFE, IFAT.
 Treatment

• Fluid infusion is the first line of treatment for cryptosporidiosis.

• Nitazoxanide has been FDA approved for treatment of diarrhoea

in people with healthy immune system.

• In HIV/AIDS patients antiretroviral therapy that improves the

immune status and decreases the symptoms of cryptosporidiosis.