Cryptosporidium under The Microscope #science #learning #microbiology #medicalstudent #protozoa

Cryptosporidium parvum is an opportunistic intestinal protozoan capable of causing severe, persistent cryptosporidiosis in patients with advanced HIV, particularly when CD4⁺ T-cell counts fall below 100 cells/mm³. The parasite infects the intestinal epithelial brush border, disrupting absorption and barrier function, leading to prolonged watery diarrhea, dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, malabsorption, and nutritional wasting. Severe fluid depletion may precipitate acute kidney injury, while advanced immunosuppression can also permit biliary complications, including cholangitis. Prompt diagnosis using stool-based testing, aggressive fluid and electrolyte replacement when indicated, nutritional support, and initiation or optimization of antiretroviral therapy (ART) are essential. Immune restoration remains the cornerstone of management, while adjunct antiparasitic treatment has limited evidence of efficacy in profoundly immunocompromised patients. References; Panel on Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents With HIV. Cryptosporidiosis [Internet]. National Institutes of Health; 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. DPDx—Cryptosporidiosis [Internet]. Atlanta: CDC; 2024. Ferguson SH, Foster DM, Sherry B, Magness ST, Nielsen DM, Gookin JL. Interferon-λ3 promotes epithelial defense and barrier function against Cryptosporidium parvum infection. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019;8(1):1–20.  #Cryptosporidium #Cryptosporidiosis #HIV #OpportunisticInfections #MedicalMicrobiology #Parasitology #Immunology #MedicalEducation #3DMedicalAnimation