Overview

Cryptosporidium is the single genus in the cryptosporidiidae family and contains at least 13 recognised species. These small protozoan parasites are able to infect a wide range of hosts including mammals, birds, reptiles and fish.


Recognition

Cryptosporidium parvum - Courtesy of the Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
C. muris - Wikimedia Commons
Cryptosporidium Life Cycle - Alexander J. da Silva, PhD/Melanie Moser (PHIL #3386), 2002
Calf - nabrown RVC
Ruminant Cryptosporidium - Joaquim Castellà Veterinary Parasitology Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Cryptosporidium species are extremely small in size

  • Parasitises epithelial cells lining the alimentary and respiratory tracts
  • Developmental stages confined to the microvillous brush border
  • C. parvum most associated with disease in domestic animals and in humans
    • Other species affect birds
  • Small oocysts of 4-5μm

Life Cycle

Cryptosporidium mostly has a standard coccidial life cycle with a few exceptions. The oocyte does not contain sporocysts, instead the sporozoites are free within the oocyst. The pre patent period of of cryptosporidium is 1 week, after which sporulated oocysts are shed in the hosts faeces.

Pathogenesis

  • Causes outbreaks of diarrhoea in young animals
  • Common infection in AIDS patients

Epidemiology

  • Direct faecal-oral infection
    • E.g. School parties visiting farms
  • Water-borne infection
    • E.g. contaminated water supply may infect hundreds of people
    • Difficult to locate source

Diagnosis

  • Faecal smear
    • Ziehl-Neelson (ZN) stain
    • Oocysts stain red against a blue/green background
  • Immunoassays
    • Detect oocysts in faeces

Control

  • Isolate/quarantine bought-in calves
  • Good hygiene, adequate bedding and disinfection of calf pens is important
  • Prevention/treatment
    • Halofuginone
      • Halocur or Intervet
      • Oral dosage


Villus Atrophy in Enteritis

  • Affects calf, lamb, piglet, kitten.
  • Increasingly important as part of the neonatal diarrhoea complex in calves.
  • Zoonosis.

Pathology

Gross
  • Intestines diffusely reddened, with fluid contents.
Histological
  • Tiny parasites on surface of epithelium.
  • Villus atrophy and fusion.
  • Iinflammation (mainly lymphoid) in crypts and lamina propria.

Cryptosporidia Flashcards