Cryptosporidiosis in children

Cryptosporidiosis is an important enteric parasitic infection that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, especially among individuals who are immunosuppressed and infants and children in the developing world. The seroprevalence of this pathogen is high worldwide, suggesting that exposure occurs commonly. The routes of Cryptosporidium spp. transmission are waterborne, food-borne, and occasionally person-to-person. Infected patients can be asymptomatic or develop watery diarrhea and associated enteric symptoms, which are self-limited in immunocompetent persons. In contrast, immunodeficient individuals develop severe, chronic diarrhea that rarely can lead to extra intestinal cryptosporidiosis. Although the diagnosis of Cryptosporidium infection can be established by examining a modified acid-fast stain of stool for the presence of oocysts, enzyme-linked immunoassays are now the diagnostic modalities of choice. Recent clinical trials in pediatric cryptosporidiosis have shown nitazoxanide to be effective therapy.