Burden of disease from cryptosporidiosis

Abstract

Purpose of review The global significance of cryptosporidiosis is widespread and far-reaching. In this review, we present recent data about strain diversity and the burden of disease, along with developments in therapeutic and preventative strategies. Recent findings Cryptosporidium is an emerging pathogen that disproportionately affects children in developing countries and immunocompromised individuals. Without a diagnostic tool amenable for use in developing countries the burden of infection and its relationship to growth faltering, malnutrition, and diarrheal mortality remain underappreciated. Disease incidence is also increasing in industrialized countries largely as a result of outbreaks in recreational water facilities. Advances in molecular methods, including subtyping analysis, have yielded new insights into the epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis. However, without practical point-of-care diagnostics, an effective treatment for immunocompromised patients, and a promising vaccine candidate, the ability to reduce the burden of disease in the near future is limited. This is compounded by inadequate coverage with antiretroviral therapy in developing countries, the only current means of managing HIV-infected patients with cryptosporidiosis. Summary Cryptosporidiosis is one of the most important diarrheal pathogens affecting people worldwide. Effective methods to control and treat cryptosporidiosis among high risk groups present an ongoing problem in need of attention.

Risk Factors for Cryptosporidiosis Among Children in a Semi Urban Slum in Southern India: A Nested Case-Control Study

“…6 Children, especially those living in resource poor settings, are the worst affected. 7,8 Early childhood cryptosporidiosis has been associated with growth retardation, cognitive deficits, and a higher overall risk of mortality. [9][10][11] There is no consistently effective treatment available for cryptosporidiosis in vulnerable populations.…”

Novel Bumped Kinase Inhibitors Are Safe and Effective Therapeutics in the Calf Clinical Model for Cryptosporidiosis

“…Cryptosporidial infections (including those due to Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis) are among the most prevalent causes of diarrhea in humans and agriculturally important livestock species worldwide [1][2][3][4][5]. Infection in humans may be anthroponotic, as occurs with C. hominis, or zoonotic, as occurs for some C. parvum infections acquired from calves [6].…”

Update of Human Infections Caused by Cryptosporidium spp. and Cystoisospora belli, Honduras

“…We could assume that mothers who look for assistance at the UH may do so as last resource when home medication fails or the child experiences worsening diarrhea. While this aspect should be a subject for further research in Honduras, the point we would like to make is that Cryptosporidium infection can lead to persistent diarrhea and as a consequence worsen malnutrition; when the infection is acquired during the first two years of life it can be significantly associated with diarrhea [2], and early cryptosporidiasis can in turn be associated with impaired fitness later in life as demonstrated in children who were followed from birth until 4-7 years later [24,25]. Moreover, in a four year prospective study in 189 children with persistent diarrhea in northeastern Brazil, infection with species of Cryptosporidium was associated with increase in diarrhea burdens and growth faltering [26].…”

“…and Cystoisospora belli (formerly known as Isospora belli) are tissue-dwelling, oocyte-forming parasites, having been reported in individuals from tropical, subtropical and temperate regions, although differing in their epidemiologic characteristics [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Cryptosporidium is now recognized as a very common human pathogen worldwide affecting disproportionately young children in developing countries; the recent Global Enteric Multicenter Study (GEMS) study of children under 5 years old in seven developing countries of Asia and Africa brought attention to the frequency of moderate to severe diarrhea caused by Cryptosporidium and that such diarrhea "is a high risk factor for linear growth faltering and death" [3].…”