Cryptosporidiosis in an Immunocompetent Individual An unusual case with brief review of the literature

  • Bo Jin Wayne State University Sinai Grace Hospital/ Detroit Medical Center
  • Anveil Yashpal Medical University of the Americas
  • Nisha Deol Medical University of the Americas
  • Ahmed AbuRashed Medical University of the Americas
  • Husain Saleh

Abstract

Cryptosporidiosis infection involves most commonly the small intestine but can occur in any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Typical infection by this parasitic organism occurs in immunocompromised individuals. However, rare cryptosporidiosis in immunocompetent individuals has been reported.  Herein, we describe a case of cryptosporidiosis in an 85-year old woman who has hypertensive heart disease and diabetes, but is otherwise immunocompetent. This patient had protracted chronic diarrhea, however, medical workup failed to identify the etiology of this diarrhea.

Awareness of the possibility that cryptosporidiosis can involve immunocompetent individuals should be kept in mind among healthcare professionals to avoid misdiagnosis or lengthy delay in identifying the cause of the diarrhea or other GI illness. In particular, obtaining biopsy of the small or large intestines by the examining gastroenterologists in spite of normal endoscopy is very important to establish the diagnosis.

 

 

 

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Author Biographies

Bo Jin, Wayne State University Sinai Grace Hospital/ Detroit Medical Center

Assistant Professor of Pathology

Wayne State University

Department of Pathology

Sinai Grace Hospital/ Detroit Medical Center

 

Anveil Yashpal, Medical University of the Americas
Medical University of the Americas
Nisha Deol, Medical University of the Americas
Medical University of the Americas
Ahmed AbuRashed, Medical University of the Americas
Medical University of the Americas

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Published
2015-05-26
How to Cite
JIN, Bo et al. Cryptosporidiosis in an Immunocompetent Individual An unusual case with brief review of the literature. Diagnostic Pathology, [S.l.], may 2015. ISSN 2364-4893. Available at: <http://www.diagnosticpathology.eu/content/index.php/dpath/article/view/10>. Date accessed: 29 mar. 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.17629/www.diagnosticpathology.eu-2015-1:10.
Issue
Section
Case Report

Keywords

cryptosporidiosis, immunocompetent, chronic diarrhea