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