Research topic:cryptosporidium

Click to see an enlarged picture
cryptosporidium. Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
Find more facts and information on our topic page about cryptosporidium

cryptosporidium

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition

cryptosporidium , genus of protozoans having at least four species; they are waterborne parasites that cause the disease cryptosporidiosis. One of the species appears to be responsible for most of the illnesses. Symptoms of the disease are vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever usually lasting one to two weeks. In immunosuppressed individuals, such as people with AIDS , the disease can be fatal. Nitazoxanide is an effective treatment in some immunosuppressed individuals.

The usual sources of cryptosporidial contamination of drinking water are human sewage (e.g., sewage system overflows) and runoff carrying animal waste (e.g., from dairy farms). Although coagulation-sedimentation and filtration reduce the levels of cryptosporidium in water supplies, they do not eliminate it. Chlorination has no effect on the organism, which protects itself in the form of an oocyst, a tiny encapsulated egglike structure, when not in the intestine of an animal or human, but ozone disinfection has been more successful. Cryptosporidiosis affected more that 400,000 people and caused over 60 deaths in Milwaukee in 1993 when the parasites contaminated the public water system. Smaller outbreaks have occurred in other states.

See also water pollution .


Find more facts and information related to the .
The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press

Related newspaper, magazine, and trade journal articles from HighBeam Research

(Including press releases, facts, information, and biographies)

Acambis announces halt of smallpox vaccine trial.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
; ...the development of a smallpox vaccine that can be used in immunosuppressed individuals (the MVA--Modified Vaccinia Ankara smallpox vaccine). Immunosuppressed individuals are more at risk of adverse reactions to the smallpox vaccine... Read more
Ureteral Calculus Presenting as Generalized Abdominal Cramps
; ...normal-looking urine, generalized abdominal cramps and abdominal distension that was...very rarely, present with generalized abdominal cramps. Key words: urology * abdomen Ureteral...calculus who presented with generalized abdominal cramps and normal-looking urine. The occurrence... Read more
Transplant recipients warned to beware of parasite in drinking water
; ...cryptosporidium contamination of drinking water for immunosuppressed individuals. The report caused many environmental and medical...the EPA's report. Boiling water, as suggested for immunosuppressed individuals, must be viewed as a temporary measure until the... Read more
TAKEAWAY TOXINS.(News)
; ...E.COLI SEVERE diarrhoea and cramps. Possible kidney failure in young and old STAPHYLOCOCCUS NAUSEA, vomiting, retching and abdominal cramps. SALMONELLA SUDDEN nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea with mucous. CAPTION(S): NASTY: Salmonella bug Read more
Outbreaks of Gastrointestinal Illness of Unknown Etiology Associated with Eating Burritos -- United States, October 1997-October 1998.
; ...students. A case was defined as nausea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, or diarrhea within 24 hours...were nausea (89%), headache (65%), abdominal cramps (53%), vomiting (29%), and diarrhea...schools. A case was defined as nausea, abdominal cramps, or vomiting in a person after eating... Read more
Imiquimod cream 5% for recalcitrant cutaneous warts in immunosuppressed individuals.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
; Imiquimod Cream 5% for Recalcitrant Cutaneous Warts in Immunosuppressed Individuals Harwood CA, MD et al. British Journal of Dermatology...site, superficial erosions, and pruritus. Comment As immunosuppressed individuals are at risk for multiple recalcitrant warts, this... Read more
Food problems
; ...campylobacteriosis were notified in the South Canterbury health district in November -- a record. The symptoms are diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. Notifications generally peak in spring and summer. Safe food-handling and storage is particularly important in warmer... Read more
The changing face of food-borne illnesses.
; ...pathogen that causes fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. It is the most commonly identified...typically includes fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. In people with poor underlying health...severe, bloody diarrhea and painful abdominal cramps, without much fever. In 3 to 5 ... Read more
Symptoms, signs of E. coli illness
; -- Nausea -- Severe abdominal cramps -- Watery or very bloody diarrhea -- Tiredness -- Possible low-grade fever or vomiting *Symptoms usually begin two to five days after eating contaminated food and may last for eight days. Source: National Institutes of Health Read more
REGISTERED DIETITIAN: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
; ...Some individuals with IBS may experience constipation with intermittent diarrhea and severe abdominal cramps. At times the abdominal cramps are accompanied by an urge to defecate, but nothing happens. It is not uncommon for some people... Read more

Related entries from encyclopedias, dictionaries, and thesauruses

cryptosporidium
cryptosporidium •columbium • erbium , terbium, ytterbium •scandium • compendium • palladium , radium, stadium, vanadium • medium , tedium • cryptosporidium , cymbidium, idiom, iridium, rubidium •indium • exordium , Gordium, rutherfordium • ... Read more
Cyclosporiasis and Cryptosporidiosis
...contaminated by the parasites Cyclospora cayetanensis and Cryptosporidium parvum. These infections can result in diarrhea, stomach...human or animal waste. The Cyclospora cayetanensis and Cryptosporidium parvum parasites also can enter the human body when people... Read more
beryllium
...ytterbium •scandium • compendium • palladium , radium, stadium, vanadium • medium , tedium • cryptosporidium , cymbidium, idiom, iridium, rubidium •indium • exordium , Gordium, rutherfordium • odeum , odium... Read more
gallium
...ytterbium •scandium • compendium • palladium , radium, stadium, vanadium • medium , tedium • cryptosporidium , cymbidium, idiom, iridium, rubidium •indium • exordium , Gordium, rutherfordium • odeum , odium... Read more
geranium
...ytterbium •scandium • compendium • palladium , radium, stadium, vanadium • medium , tedium • cryptosporidium , cymbidium, idiom, iridium, rubidium •indium • exordium , Gordium, rutherfordium • odeum , odium... Read more

Online videos

cryptosporidium parvum

For Students and teachers!

HighBeam Encyclopedia provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including:

HighBeam Encyclopedia provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including: