Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium /Cryp·to·spo·ri·di·um/ (-spo-rid´e-um) a genus of parasitic protozoa found in the intestinal tracts of many different vertebrates and the etiologic agent of cryptosporidiosis in humans.

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Cryp·to·spo·rid·i·um (krpt-spô-rd-m)

n.

A genus of parasitic coccidian protozoans that infect the epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract in vertebrates and flourish in humans under conditions of intense immunosuppression.

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Cryptosporidium

A type of parasitic protozoa.

Mentioned in: Stool O & P Test

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Cryptosporidium

a protozoan parasite in most species. A member of the family Eimeriidae. Includes C. bayleyi in birds, C. serpentis in reptiles, C. crotalis in reptiles, C. meleagridis in birds, and C. nasorum in fish. C. parvum infects many different hosts including cattle, swine, horses and small ruminants. C. parvum has two distinct genotypes known as human genotype 1 (also known as C. hominis) and bovine genotype 2. Both genotypes are capable of causing disease in humans. Livestock are not commonly infected with genotype 1. C. andersoni (C. muris) infects cattle.