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A Modified EPA Method 1623 that Uses Tangential Flow Hollow-fiber Ultrafiltration and Heat Dissociation Steps to Detect Waterborne Cryptosporidium and Giardia spp.
12:11

A Modified EPA Method 1623 that Uses Tangential Flow Hollow-fiber Ultrafiltration and Heat Dissociation Steps to Detect Waterborne Cryptosporidium and Giardia spp.

Published on: July 9, 2012

Cryptosporidium, chronic diarrhoea and the proximal small intestinal mucosa

A D Phillips1, A G Thomas, J A Walker-Smith

  • 1Electron Microscopy Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children, London.

Gut
|August 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Cryptosporidium infection causes chronic diarrhea and small intestinal enteropathy in children lacking immune deficiency. Early screening for this parasite is crucial for diagnosing persistent diarrhea in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Cryptosporidium is a known enteric pathogen.
  • Chronic diarrhea in children can have various causes.
  • The link between Cryptosporidium and specific intestinal pathology in immunocompetent children requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between Cryptosporidium infection and chronic diarrhea.
  • To determine the presence and nature of small intestinal enteropathy in children with cryptosporidiosis.
  • To assess the clinical significance of Cryptosporidium in pediatric chronic diarrhea.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of pediatric cases over six and a half years.
  • Identification of children with cryptosporidiosis and chronic diarrhea.
  • Analysis of clinical presentation, including small intestinal biopsies where performed.

Main Results:

  • 123 children with cryptosporidiosis and no immune deficiency were identified.
  • 50% of children excreting only Cryptosporidium experienced chronic diarrhea.
  • Small intestinal biopsies revealed mild to moderate enteropathy with parasite adherence in most cases.

Conclusions:

  • Cryptosporidium is a significant cause of chronic diarrhea and proximal small intestinal enteropathy in immunocompetent children.
  • The findings support routine screening for Cryptosporidium in children presenting with chronic diarrhea.
  • Spontaneous recovery is typical, but the associated enteropathy highlights the parasite's impact.

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