Cryptosporidiosis is caused by Cryptosporidium parasites and causes diarrhea in livestock and humans. It is transmitted through the fecal-oral route. There are 18 known Cryptosporidium species that can infect humans and animals. Some species only infect single host types while others can infect multiple species. Cryptosporidium forms oocysts that are resistant to chlorine and can lead to large waterborne outbreaks like the 1993 Milwaukee outbreak that infected 400,000 people. Symptoms in humans and livestock include watery diarrhea. There is no vaccine and treatment involves supportive care. Prevention involves handwashing and avoiding contact with infected individuals and young animals.

1. Genus
Cryptosporidium

2. Contents
 -General Introduction
 -History
 -Clinical Signs
 -General life Cycle
 -Pathogenesis
 -Epidemiology
 -Diagnosis & Treatment
 -Prevention

3. Genus Cryptosporidium
 Cryptosporidiosis is caused by protozoan parasites of
the genus Cryptosporidium, in which there are 18
‘valid’ species. In livestock, C. parvum, C. andersoni,
C. galli have been reported to cause morbidity and
outbreaks of disease.
 Some species are host specific but some are found in
more than one species
 Transmission by fecal oral route
 Person-to-person
 Person-to-animal –Waterborne-Foodborne
 Fomrs Oocyste with 4 sporozoits

4. History
 1993: Milwaukee, West Indies
 Largest known water supply outbreak
 400,000 persons became ill
 1997: In decorative fountains
369 cases Appeared
 Most cases in children <10 years old
 In Pakistan
 Fecal excretion of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts was
determined in 625 children less than five years old who
presented at the pediatric clinic of a teaching hospital in
Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

5. (+) Signs (--)
 Infections characterized by watery diarrhea
 Stools with rancid odor
 Weight loss
 Anorexia
 Yellow to white color stools
 Tenesmus

8. Pathogenesis
 Cryptosporidium parvum
 Primarily infects small intestine.
 Infections characterized by watery Diarrhea
Impaired intestinal absorption.
 Forms oocysts
-4-6 µm in diameter
-killed by ozone, desiccation

9. Post Mortem Lesions
 Gross lesions
(not common)
 Hyperemia of intestinal mucosaThe mucosal folds are
markedly thickened, and there are numerous pinpoint foci of
hyperemia.
 Microscopic lesions
 Mild to severe villous atrophy
 Spherical organisms in the
brush border

10. Common in
calves and lambs
(Some days after birth)
Other species
– Dogs (rare)
– Cats (rare)
– Horses (rare)

11. Epidemiology
 More common with immune deficiency diseases such
as AIDS.
 Cryptosporidiosis occurs worldwide. It causes 50.8% of
the water-borne diseases attributed to parasites
 When Cryptosporidium spreads beyond the
intestine,(as in AIDS) it can reach upto lungs, middle
ear, pancreas and stomach.
 Unlike other coccidians autoinfection can occur

12. Diagnosis
Diagnostic tests
- Acid-fast staining
- (histologic
examination)
- Microscopic detection
in feces
- Fecal flotation
-presumptive diagnosis based
on age

13. Treatment
 No specific treatment
-Supportive care
 No vaccine

14. Prevention & Cares
 Minimizing contact with infected individuals
 Wash hands
 Wash fruits/vegetables
 Minimize contact with young
animals especially having
age of somedays.

15. Presented by Ali Saqlain student of veterinary sciences
Uaf Pakistan