1. Sarah Galang and Brian Cupitt
Cryptosporidium
Sarah Galang and Brian Cupitt

2. What is it?
A microscopic genus of parasites that has been recognized as the worldwide cause of diarrheal disease
most common: C. parvum and C. homonis
Lives in the intestines of humans and animals and while in the bowels, the parasite draws water out of the cells

3. Symptoms
Beside watery diarrhea, the most common symptoms of cryptosporidium are:
Stomach cramps and pain
Nausea
Dehydration
Vomiting
Weight loss
**Death may occur to those with suppressed immune systems (i.e. HIV/AIDS or recent transplant recipients)

4. Exposure
The parasite has an outer shell that allows it to live outside the human body so it can enter the body via:
Contaminated drinking water
Drinking water from swimming pools
Passed from person to person (physical contact)
Eating raw/contaminated food
Exposure to human/animal feces

5. HOW It is spread

6. Treatment/PRevention
Those with healthy immune systems can recover without treatment by simple staying hydrated, anti-diarrheal medication if necessary
Those with suppressed immune systems are recommended to visit healthcare providers, as their illness may be life threatening
Crypto can be easily avoided with clean hygiene (good hygiene, minimizing all contact with feces and infected people, washing hands before touching anything that may be ingested)

7. Respiratory infection
In 2007, Tufts University conducted clinical trials in a hospital in Uganda that was treating young children for diarrhea
It was observed that many of the children experienced coughing and trouble with breathing along with their diarrhea
Fecal samples were initially tested for the parasite, then out of those that tested positive for cryptosporidium, their sputum (mucus) was then tested

8. results Out of 926 samples:
116 were positive for digestive Cryptosporidium
17 demonstrated signs of respiratory infection
CONCLUSIONS: Cryptosporidium may be transmitted through respiratory, thus making society more susceptible to the infection

9. Crypto today
Today, researchers are using a system of molecular tracking of DNA to discern more about disease transmission from person to person in order to prevent outbreaks
The same system is used to link the respiratory infection with the digestive infection
With at least 30 different species of Crytosporidium, researchers are trying to find out which ones are most prevalent and most lethal

10. Works cited
Center of Disease Control:
National Institute of Health:
Clinical Trials: