Cryptosporidium enteritis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Cryptosporidium, organism

Digestive system organs

Cryptosporidium enteritis

Alternative Names:

Cryptosporidiosis
Treatment:

There is no reliable treatment for cryptosporidium enteritis -- certain agents such as paromomycin, atovaquone, nitazoxanide, and azithromycin are sometimes used but they usually have only temporary effects. Currently, the best approach is to improve the immune status in immunodeficient individuals, for example, by using antiviral therapy in patients with AIDS and supportive treatment for symptoms.

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AIDS specialists and patient activists may provide additional information on the latest treatments and on medications and alternative treatments which may provide some relief.

Expectations (prognosis):

The infection will clear up in healthy people, although it may last up to a month. In immunosuppressed individuals, prolonged diarrhea with wasting and malnutrition may result.

Complications:

Severe malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract)
Wasting syndrome
Biliary tract involvement such as cholangitis, cholecystitis
Hepatitis
Pancreatitis

Calling your health care provider:

Notify your health care provider if you develop watery diarrhea that does not resolve within several days, especially if you are immunosuppressed.