Document 1002
 DOCN  M9651002
 TI    [Cryptosporidiosis in humans. Review]
 DT    9505
 AU    Chacin-Bonilla L; Instituto de Investigaciones Clinicas, Facultad de
       Medicina,; Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela.
 SO    Invest Clin. 1995 Dec;36(4):207-50. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96166111
 AB    Cryptosporidiosis basically is a gastrointestinal infection caused by
       the coccidian protozoa Cryptosporidium. The infection is associated with
       diarrhea worldwide but it is most prevalent among children below 5 years
       of age in the undeveloped countries. It is an important Public Health
       problem. Infection in humans is usually with C. parvum. The parasite
       appears to be transmitted by a variety of mechanisms but zoonotic- and
       person-to-person transmission, and contaminated water appear to be the
       most important. The mechanism by which the coccidium causes diarrhea is
       unknown. The extent of the disease is mostly dependent on the immune
       status of the host. In immunocompetent persons, C. parvum may cause a
       short term diarrheal disease that resolves spontaneously; in
       immunocompromised patients, especially those with AIDS, produces a
       prolonged, life-threatening cholera-like disease. The diagnosis is
       generally made by detection of oocysts in stools by means of several
       concentration and staining procedures. Modified acid-fast and
       fluorescence stains are widely used. Immunofluorescent assays with
       Cryptosporidium-clonal antibodies have been developed to detect oocysts
       in stool specimens. Specific humoral antibodies have been detected by
       immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques.
       Although an effective agent for Cryptosporidium is not available yet,
       promising results have been related to the immunotherapy. Vaccines are
       not available and the control and prevention of the infection is limited
       because of the environmentally resistant oocysts and the ignorance of
       all its possible transmission routes.
 DE    Adult  Animal  AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections/PARASITOLOGY
       Cattle  Child
       Cryptosporidiosis/DIAGNOSIS/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/IMMUNOLOGY/PREVENTION &
       CONTROL/TRANSMISSION/VETERINARY
       Cryptosporidium/IMMUNOLOGY/PHYSIOLOGY/ULTRASTRUCTURE  English Abstract
       Female  Human  Immunocompromised Host  Infant  Male  Mice  Prevalence
       JOURNAL ARTICLE  REVIEW  REVIEW, ACADEMIC

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).