What is Cryptosporidium?
Q: What is Cryptosporidium?
A: Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite that causes outbreaks of diarrhea.
Q: What mammals can be infected with Cryptosporidium?
A: A number of species of Cryptosporidium can infect mammals.
Q: Which Cryptosporidium species commonly infects humans?
A: The most common species of Cryptosporidium to infect humans is Cryptosporidium parvum.
Q: Who is at a greater risk of severe diarrhea from Cryptosporidium infection?
A: Children and people with weakened immune systems, such as HIV patients with diarrhea, are at a greater risk of severe diarrhea from Cryptosporidium infection.
Q: How can Cryptosporidium be detected in the laboratory?
A: Cryptosporidium can be difficult to identify in the laboratory, but its oocytes can be seen under a microscope. However, larger cells have also been reported which may confuse identification.
Q: What is the safest option if Cryptosporidium is suspected in the water?
A: The safest option if Cryptosporidium is suspected in the water is to boil the water used for drinking.
Q: What is the advantage of new real-time monitoring for detecting Cryptosporidium?
A: New real-time monitoring is better than older spot testing and batch testing methods for detecting Cryptosporidium.
