Health Care Provider Information on Cryptosporidiosis
On this page:
Required Disease Reporting
Parasite Information
Clinical Features
Laboratory Diagnosis
Treatment
Required Disease Reporting
- Reporting
Cryptosporidiosis
Health care providers and clinical laboratories are required to report cases and suspect cases to the Minnesota Department of Health.
- Illness-related Restrictions for Food Workers and for Children or Staff in a Child Care or Preschool Setting
Cases are subject to restriction on child care/preschool attendance and food handling.
Parasite Information
- Parasites - Cryptosporidium (also known as "Crypto"): Pathogen & Environment
CDC; Causal agent and life cycle of Cryptosporidium.
Clinical Features
- Infection with Cryptosporidium spp. results in a wide range of manifestations, from asymptomatic infections to severe, life-threatening illness.
- Watery diarrhea is the most frequent symptom and can be accompanied by abdominal cramps, fatigue, fever, vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss.
- In immunocompetent persons, symptoms are usually short lived (1 to 2 weeks); they can be chronic and more severe in immunocompromised patients
- While the small intestine is the site most commonly affected, symptomatic
Cryptosporidium infections have also been found in other organs
including other digestive tract organs, the lungs, and possibly conjunctiva.
Laboratory Diagnosis
- Low positive predictive values have been observed when using rapid assays for the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis. Even though rapid assays can be used as a screening test in higher prevalence populations, rapid-assay positive specimens should be confirmed with other methods. It is important that health care providers are aware of the limitations and proper use of rapid assays in the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis and that they limit testing to patients who have symptoms characteristic of the disease.
- Submission of clinical materials from positive Cryptosporidium specimens to the Minnesota Department of Health Laboratory (MDH-PHL) is required in accordance with state communicable disease rules. Additional testing of these submitted materials is performed at the MDH-PHL with the results being used to aid public health surveillance.
- DPDx – Laboratory Identification of Parasitic Diseases of Public Health Concern: Stool Specimens
CDC; Information about diagnostic procedures for stool specimens.
Treatment
- Most people who have healthy immune systems will recover without treatment.
- Diarrhea can be managed by drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
- Immunocompromised persons are at highest risk for severe illness.
- In HIV infected patients, anti-retroviral therapy, which improves immune status, can reduce oocyst excretion and decrease diarrhea associated with cryptosporidiosis.
- Nitazoxanide has been licensed by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of for all patients 1 year of age and older with diarrhea associated with cryptosporidiosis.
- Parasites – Cryptosporidium (also known as “Crypto”): Treatment
CDC; Information about the treatment of cryptosporidiosis.
To report a suspected foodborne or waterborne illness call 1-877-FOOD-ILL.
Spotlight
Safer Farm Animal Contact Exhibits (Safer FACEs)
The Safer Farm Animal Contact Exhibits (Safer FACEs) training program can help you understand the risks of illness and injury from farm animals, and how to protect your visitors. Complete this free online training and the Minnesota Department of Health will provide certification that your venue has learned about these issues.
Waterborne Illness
Waterborne illness is caused by recreational or drinking water contaminated by disease-causing microbes or pathogens. Of note, many waterborne pathogens can also be acquired by consuming contaminated food or beverages, from contact with animals or their environment, or through person-to-person spread.
Norovirus Infection
Noroviruses are members of a group of viruses called caliciviruses also known previously as “Norwalk-like viruses.” Learn more about Norovirus, how to minimize your risk of acquiring norovirus infection, required reporting information, clinical features, laboratory diagnosis, treatment and more.
There's No Such Thing as "Stomach Flu" (PDF)
Complaints of "stomach flu" are usually norovirus, the most common cause of gastrointestinal illness.
Food Safety Basics: Preventing Foodborne Illness
There's a lot you can do to handle and prepare your food safely. Learn what you can do to prepare, serve and store food safely.
Protect others if you are experiencing diarrhea!
Anyone with a diarrheal illness should avoid swimming in public pools or lakes, sharing baths with others, and preparing food for others.
Young children (children in diapers) that are experiencing diarrhea should not be allowed to go swimming or attend daycare.
Contact us:
If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.
