What is the difference between Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis?

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Last updated: May 15, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

Cryptosporidium parvum ve Cryptosporidium hominis enfeksiyonlarının tedavisi için nitazoxanide (Alinia) önerilir. Bu iki protozoan parazit, kriptosporidiozis adı verilen ishal hastalığına neden olur. C. hominis主要 olarak insanları enfekte ederken, C. parvum hem insanları hem de hayvanları, özellikle de sığırları enfekte edebilir. Her iki tür de benzer semptomlara neden olur, bunlar arasında ishal, karın ağrısı, bulantı, kusma ve düşük dereceli ateş bulunur ve genellikle bağışıklığı güçlü bireylerde 1-2 hafta sürer, ancak bağışıklığı zayıf bireylerde kronik ve yaşam tehdit edici olabilir. Tedavi seçenekleri şunları içerir:

  • Bağışıklığı güçlü bireyler için 500mg nitazoxanide (Alinia) günde iki kez 3 gün süreyle önerilir 1.
  • Çocuklar için ağırlık bazlı dozaj uygulanır, 1-3 yaş arası çocuklar için günde iki kez 100mg, 4-11 yaş arası çocuklar için günde iki kez 200mg 1.
  • Bağışıklığı zayıf bireyler için daha uzun tedavi süreleri gerekli olabilir ve bağışıklık fonksiyonunun iyileştirilmesi (HIV hastalarında antiretroviral tedavi gibi) önemlidir. Hastalığın önlenmesi için iyi hijyen uygulamak, muhtemelen kontamine olmuş su kaynaklarından kaçınmak ve gıda işleme prosedürlerine uymak önemlidir. Parazitler, kontamine su, gıda veya doğrudan enfekte bireyler veya hayvanlar ile temas yoluyla fekal-oral yol ile bulaşır 1.

From the Research

Cryptosporidiosis Overview

  • Cryptosporidiosis is a water- and food-borne zoonotic disease caused by the protozoon parasite of the genus Cryptosporidium 2.
  • The main two species causing infections in humans are C. hominis and C. parvum 2, 3, 4.

Transmission and Infection

  • The disease can be transmitted by the fecal-oral route as well as the respiratory route 2.
  • C. parvum is a zoonotic parasite that can be transmitted from infected animals to humans 3, 4.
  • C. hominis only infects humans 3.

Treatment and Control

  • Currently, no effective therapeutic drugs or vaccines are available to treat and control Cryptosporidium infection 2, 3, 4.
  • Nitazoxanide has been reported to be highly efficacious in immunocompetent hosts, but its effectiveness in immunocompromised patients is limited 5, 6.
  • The use of human bovine colostrum as a complementary therapeutic modality has been suggested, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness 5, 6.

Prevention and Prophylaxis

  • A One Health approach to prophylaxis is essential to properly control the disease, including understanding transmission routes, improved sanitation, and better risk management 4.
  • Effective prevention and control measures are crucial to reduce the disease occurrence, especially in high-risk groups such as immunocompromised individuals 6, 4.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Cryptosporidium: Host-Parasite Interactions and Pathogenesis.

Current clinical microbiology reports, 2021

Research

Treatment of human intestinal cryptosporidiosis: A review of published clinical trials.

International journal for parasitology. Drugs and drug resistance, 2021

Research

Prevention and treatment of cryptosporidiosis in immunocompromised patients.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2007

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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