Cryptosporidium parvum

Cryptosporidium parvum

Cryptosporidium parvum is caused by an oval small intestinal parasite of the genus Cryptosporidium, the diarrhea. It caused by the disease is referred to as cryptosporidiosis. The Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic disease that is transmitted primarily by mammals. In immunocompetent individuals, the infection is asymptomatic or as self-limiting ( = by itself ceasing ) diarrheal disease. In contrast, infants or immunocompromised sick people can suffer life-threatening diarrhea.

The transmission is fecal-oral route or via contaminated food / drinking water.

For the direct or indirect detection of human pathogenic Cryptosporidium is a roll-call reporting obligation pursuant to § 7 para 1 No. 11 Infection Protection Act (IfSG ).