Cryptosporidiosis in Patients Infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Abstract

Infection caused by Cryptosporidium species has proved to be one of the most taxing and frustrating conditions faced by clinicians caring for patients with AIDS. Unfortunately, this unique organism, which was identified as a human pathogen only shortly before the AIDS epidemic began to manifest itself, has received only minimal attention during the past decade. Dr. Carolyn Petersen, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and a member of the Division of Infectious Diseases at San Francisco General Hospital, is a molecular parasitologist whose investigative career is focused on elucidating the biology of Cryptosporidium species. In this AIDS Commentary Dr. Petersen provides an update on recent developments in this field.

Infectivity of Cryptosporidium parvum in healthy adults with pre-existing anti-C. parvum serum immunoglobulin G.

“…4 The increased awareness of cryptosporidiosis in the general population and in specialized settings, such as day care centers, as well as the seriousness of the disease in immunosuppressed individuals have earned Cryptosporidium a place on the list of emerging diseases that are a threat to the public health. 5 Furthermore, no effective chemotherapeutic agent has been demonstrated to prevent or cure C. parvum infections.…”

Parásitos en aguas del arroyo Naposta, aguas de recreación y de consumo en la ciudad de Bahia Blanca (Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina)

“…En las aguas de consumo, la presencia de quistes de Cryptosporidium nos permite alertar sobre la importancia que puede revestir su consumo por parte de individuos inmunocomprometidos, especialmente pacientes con VIH / SIDA 5,16,17 .…”

Cryptosporidiosis in Rhesus Macaques Challenged During Acute and Chronic Phases of SIV Infection

“…infect many mammals but induce acute diarrhea only in humans and ruminants. 1 Persistent diarrhea with profound wasting involving the hepatobiliary and respiratory systems, however, is often seen in immunodeficient people, particularly in those with HIV/AIDS, 2,3 and prior to the advent of antiretroviral therapy such infections were life-threatening. This is still true today in developing countries, 4 where some 30-50% of untreated HIV/AIDS patients experience diarrhea, of which a considerable proportion is due to cryptosporidiosis; higher numbers are observed in infants and young children.…”