Chart of opportunistic infections

October 2001     View PDF     En español

Cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidiosis is a parasite that can cause diarrhea.

Symptoms
Chronic diarrhea with frequent watery stools, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, weight loss, appetite loss, vomiting, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance (especially sodium and potassium).

Diagnosis
Detection of eggs (called oocysts) in the stool or biopsy of small intestines.

Preventive Therapy (prophylaxis)
There are no proven effective therapies. People should try and avoid exposure to the organism, sometimes found in public water supplies.

Treatment
No proven effective therapies, although people who respond to potent anti-HIV therapy, achieve undetectable viral loads and have rises in CD4+ cell counts have cleared the infection.

Initial treatment should be for rehydrating (Gatorade, bouillon and/or oral rehydration solution) and replacing electrolytes (fluids rich in electrolytes include vegetable juices, salty liquids like chicken broth, Gatorade and other sports drinks). Anti-motility (slows bowel movements) therapies like loperamide or tincture of opium may also provide temporary relief.

A regimen of paromomycin + azithromycin may be effective.

Maintenance Therapy
There are no proven therapies that prevent cryptosporidiosis.

For more information, read the publication, Cryptosporidiosis.