Cryptosporidium facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cryptosporidium parvum |
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| Image of C. parvum oocysts. | |
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Eucoccidiorida
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Cryptosporidiidae
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Cryptosporidium
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Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite which causes outbreaks of diarrhea.
A number of species of Cryptosporidium can infect mammals. The most common species to infect man is Cryptosporidium parvum. The diarrhea can become severe in children, and in people whose immune system is weakened. It is often found in HIV patients who have diarrhea. In healthy adults, the infection is usually brief.
It is difficult to identify in the laboratory. The oocytes can be seen under a microscope, but they may be confused. Most cryptosporidia are 3-6 μm in size, but some reports have described larger cells. New real-time monitoring can detect Cryptosporidium better than the older spot testing and batch testing methods.
If Cryptosporidium is suspected in the water, the safest option is to boil water used for drinking.
Images for kids
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Life cycle of Cryptosporidium spp.
See also
In Spanish: Cryptosporidium para niños
