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Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium

Parasitology

Ectoparasites

Pediculus humanus and Phthirus pubis (Lice)
Sarcoptes scabiei (Scabies)

Protozoa

Acanthamoeba
Naegleria fowleri (Primary amebic meningoencephalitis)
Toxoplasma gondii (Toxoplasmosis)
Cryptosporidium
Entamoeba histolytica (Amebiasis)
Giardia lamblia
Babesia
Plasmodium species (Malaria)
Leishmania
Trichomonas vaginalis
Trypanosoma brucei
Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease)

Worms

Diphyllobothrium latum
Echinococcus granulosus (Hydatid disease)
Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus
Angiostrongylus (Eosinophilic meningitis)
Anisakis
Ascaris lumbricoides
Enterobius vermicularis (Pinworm)
Guinea worm (Dracunculiasis)
Loa loa (Eye worm)
Onchocerca volvulus (River blindness)
Strongyloides stercoralis
Toxocara canis (Visceral larva migrans)
Trichinella spiralis
Trichuris trichiura (Whipworm)
Wuchereria bancrofti (Lymphatic filariasis)
Clonorchis sinensis
Paragonimus westermani
Schistosomes

Key Takeaways

Cryptosporidium is a water-borne parasite that causes diarrhea and vomiting in humans. The disease is often spread through the feco-oral route, usually by drinking contaminated water or eating food that has been in contact with infected water.

Cryptosporidium is a common cause of diarrhea amongst travelers and can be particularly dangerous for those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms usually resolve within a week or two but can occasionally be fatal.

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Flashcards

Cryptosporidium

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Questions

USMLE® Step 1 style questions USMLE

0 of 1 complete

A 55-year-old man comes to urgent care for evaluation of chronic diarrhea. He has been having 5-10 episodes of watery diarrhea daily for the past 3 weeks. The patient returned from vacation in Eastern Europe last month. Medical history is notable for HIV and the patient has not been using antiretroviral therapy. Vitals are within normal limits. Physical examination reveals dry mucous membranes and oral thrush. Rectal examination is unremarkable. Microscopic examination of a stool sample after acid-fast staining is shown below. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient’s diarrhea?
 
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