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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Studying Cryptosporidium Infection in 3D Tissue-derived Human Organoid Culture Systems by Microinjection
Published on: September 14, 2019
Cryptosporidium infection in patients with primary immunodeficiencies
Beata Wolska-Kusnierz1, Anna Bajer, Simone Caccio
1Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Immunology Clinic, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Italy. bwolska@interia.pl
Background:
Cryptosporidium species infection is usually self-limited in immunocompetent populations, but can be severe and life-threatening among immunocompromised individuals, particularly in patients with AIDS and in these patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs).
Patients And Methods:
A group of 5 patients with genetically confirmed hyper-IgM syndrome type 1 (XHIM) and one patient with primary CD4 lymphopenia were enrolled in the study. At least 2 stool samples and a bile sample in one patient were examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts by a modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique, by immunofluorescence assay using a commercial kit, as well as by molecular analysis followed by genotyping. Immunological status at the time of PID diagnosis and the complex picture of disease are presented.
Results:
Chronic cryptosporidiosis was confirmed in 3 patients with XHIM and in one patient with primary CD4 lymphopenia. Molecular diagnosis showed the presence of C parvum, C hominis, and C meleagridis in analyzed specimens.
Conclusions:
Cryptosporidium infection with serious clinical symptoms observed in patients with hyper-IgM syndrome calls for regular, repeated screening in this group of patients.
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