Cryptosporidium Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cryptosporidium - Essay Example The division of the organism occurs rapidly with 12-14 hours being the time taken for one generation. This rapid division results in large accumulation of the organism within the intestinal tract of the hosts beginning with the ileum and followed by infection of the duodenum and the large intestine. In case of individuals with a suppressed immune system the organism can also colonize in the stomach, biliary and pancreatic ducts and respiratory tracts. The major clinical signs of cryptosporidiosis are watery diarrhea, loss of weight and cramping of the abdominal region, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and headache. Individual can also have a low-grade fever during the infection stage. In addition, immunocompressed individuals can also suffer from electrolyte imbalance. The time taken for the oocytes to be shed in the feces is about 4 days and they can be shed in the feces for 6-12 days in case of healthy individuals and for a longer period in immunicompressed people (Aquatic pathogens). In the case of healthy individuals, the organism will generally disappear within a month of infection. In case there is severe diarrhea and dehydration anti-diarrheal drugs and rehydration therapy is given to patients. The treatment regimen for immunocompressed individuals could be more elaborate especially when the infection becomes chronic resulting in chronic diarrhea, dehydration, wasting and even death (Aquatic pathogens). As the diease is principally a water-borne disease, the parasite can exist in untreated water which is contaminated with the feces or other sources containing the organism. Proper water treatment methods undertaken by municipal and public water carriers can help to disinfect the water and kill the organism. As the organism is resistant to chlorine treatment, the watersheds can be protected through hygienic maintenance and proper coagulation and filtration methods. Use of ozone or UV radiations for water treatment can also provide additional