Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0740441 (acute diarrhea)
 2,275 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Cryptosporidium infection is usually self limited, but can be a life threatening illness in immunocompromised patients. Probiotics have been used successfully in the treatment of acute diarrhoea and they have also been shown to limit Cryptosporidium parvum infection in animal models. The first case of successful resolution of prolonged cryptosporidiosis with probiotic treatment is reported.
 ...
PMID:Resolution of cryptosporidiosis with probiotic treatment. 1497 Mar 3

Cryptosporidium parvum is a well-known intestinal parasite which is associated with severe acute diarrhea in humans and animals. This parasite is composed of morphologically identical but genetically different multiple genotypes. In humans, cryptosporidiosis is mainly caused by two C. parvum genotypes, human genotype (previously known as genotype 1 and recently proposed as new species C. hominis) and cattle genotype (previously known as genotype 2). However, recent molecular studies indicate the genetic heterogeneity among the isolates of C. parvum human or cattle genotype. Therefore, identification of the isolates at the subgenotype level is more useful for control of the Cryptosporidium infection or for understanding of the population structure of C. parvum genotypes. In the present study, we identified the subgenotypes of the C. parvum human or cattle genotype isolates from humans and animals in Japan using DNA sequencing analysis of the C. parvum 60-kDa glycoprotein gene (GP60) and showed the new subgenotype in a raccoon dog isolate. This study suggested that C. parvum cattle genotype might be composed of zoonotic and host-specific multiple subgenotypes.
 ...
PMID:Subgenotype analysis of Cryptosporidium parvum isolates from humans and animals in Japan using the 60-kDa glycoprotein gene sequences. 1656 16

Contamination by water-born infectious diseases is closely linked to urban slums conditions such as overcrowding and high level of faecal pollution by animal and human excreta. In this environment, cryptosporidiosis is a major cause of acute diarrhoea in children and chronic persistent diarrhoea in AIDS patients, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality in both populations. The aims of this study conducted in Port-au-Prince, Haiti were to: (i) determine the frequency of Cryptosporidium infection in two populations of patients with diarrhoea, children and AIDS patients, and the existence of Cryptosporidium carriage in healthy adults living in close contact with them; (ii) identify by molecular genotyping the Cryptosporidium species involved; and (iii) evaluate the viability of Cryptosporidium oocysts isolated from human stools. From January 2000 to January 2001, 158 of 1529 diarrhoea stool samples collected from 93 patients with diarrhoea, 57 adults followed at Centres GHESKIO and 36 children admitted at the University Hospital in Port-au-Prince contained Cryptosporidium oocysts (10.3%). The majority of adult patients (98%) were HIV-infected whereas the majority of children (81%) tested negative for HIV. Cryptosporidium was documented in only 1/102 healthy persons living in contact with Cryptosporidium infected patients and infection was with the same genotype as that of the contact patient. Among the 69 Cryptosporidium isolates studied for genotyping, three species were identified: C. hominis (59%), C. parvum (38%) and C. felis (3%). The two C. felis cases are the first reported from AIDS patients in the Caribbean. Most of the children regardless of their HIV status were infected with C. hominis (72%), whereas AIDS patients were more likely to be infected by either human or animal genotypes. These data confirm that immunocompromised individuals are susceptible to a wide range of Cryptosporidium spp. Viability of Cryptosporidium oocysts were determined in an experimental mouse model for 17/18 specimen studied including in 12/13 C. hominis, 4/4 C. parvum and 1/1 C. felis. Infectivity in newborn mice was found to be dose-dependent and more effective with C. parvum than the other two genotypes. Cryptosporidiosis remains a frequent hazard for both AIDS patients and young children in Haiti because of poor hygiene, particularly contaminated water and overcrowded conditions associated with urban slums.
 ...
PMID:[Human cryptosporidiosis and Cryptosporidium spp. in Haiti]. 1677 15

Cryptosporidium parasites are leading causes of enteric disease, especially in children. A prospective survey on the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in children less than five years of age was undertaken at six microbiology laboratories in Kenya on fecal samples submitted for routine parasite and ova investigations. Analysis of 4,899 samples over a two-year study period showed an overall prevalence of cryptosporidiosis of 4% that was highest between November to February. Investigations on the nature of enteric diseases prompting ova and cyst examination requests showed 66.4% had acute diarrhea, 9% had persistent diarrhea, and 21% had recurrent diarrhea. The main symptoms were abdominal pain (51.1%), vomiting (51.6%), and abdominal swelling (11%). The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was highest among children 13-24 months of age (5.2%) and least among those 48-60 months of age (2%). No significant differences were observed by sex but vomiting was slightly higher in males than in females (65% males and 52% females; P = 0.07). Cryptosporidiosis was significantly associated with persistent diarrhea (P = 0.0001, odds ratio [OR] = 2.193, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.463-3.29), vomiting (P = 0.0273, OR = 1.401, 95% CI = 1.04-1.893), and abdominal swelling (P = 0.0311, OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.04-2.34). Genotype analysis based on polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism of the 18S rRNA gene fragment showed that 87% (153 of 175) of the Cryptosporidium isolates were C. hominis, 9% (15 of 175) were C. parvum, and remaining 4% were C. canis, C. felis, C. meleagridis, and C. muris. The most common protozoa in coinfected patients were Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar, E. coli, and Giardia intestinalis (6%, 5%, and 2%, respectively). Our results show that Cryptosporidium is among the most common protozoan parasites in children with enteric diseases and that anthroponotic species are the leading cause of human cryptosporidiosis in Kenya, which suggests that human-to-human transmission is the main mode of spread.
 ...
PMID:Cryptosporidiosis: prevalence, genotype analysis, and symptoms associated with infections in children in Kenya. 1683 12

Parasitic diseases are very important in Mexico because of their economic impact and adverse effects on normal growth in children. Cryptosporidiosis has been associated with acute diarrhea in immune competent and incompetent human hosts, fecal contamination of drinking water sources, and handling of animals. Due to the lack of reports on cryptosporidiosis in Mexico, we conducted a parasitologic study in children with diarrhea and other clinical symptoms. The main objectives were 1) to determine the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in children less than one year of age in Mexico City, and 2) to correlate Cryptosporidium infection with gastrointestinal symptoms. Two hundred fecal samples from children seen at the Gabriel Mancera Familiar Medicine Unit of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social were studied. Children were divided into two groups. Group A was composed of sick children with 6-8 watery diarrheic episodes every 24 hours attended at the emergency service. Group B was composed of healthy babies getting routine check ups. Only children in group A were found to be infected with intestinal protozoa (50% with Giardia lamblia, 41% with Cryptosporidium spp., and 4% with Entamoeba histolytica). The results suggested a high incidence of Cyrptosporidium infections in children in Mexico City, which make these observations useful for future studies.
 ...
PMID:Cryptosporidiosis and other intestinal protozoan infections in children less than one year of age in Mexico City. 1717 73

Cryptosporydium parvum is an intracellular parasite that infects gastrointestinal epithelium and produces diarrhea that is self-limited in immunocompetent persons but potentially life-threatening in immunocompromised, especially those with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). C. parvum enteric infection's incidence in a pediatric HIV/AIDS cohort, during a 6 years period, was studied. Clinical and immunologic characteristics of the dual infection were also recorded. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was started or continued by all the patients during follow-up. Azithromicyn was used as antiparasitic drug. Cryptosporidiosis incidence was 13.7%; 33 out 240 children showed chronic diarrhea lasting 14 days at least, or recurrent, without dehydration and electrolytic disturbance. Peripheral blood T CD4+ percentage levels of the patients were variable and without relationship with C. parvum presence. Viral load levels in 31 out 33 patients were over cut-off at the enteric episode time. Mild or moderate eosinophilia were recorded in 23% of the patients and other intestinal parasites were present in 11 children. When the number of enteric episodes were compared with the clinical and immunological patient's status, not significant differences were recorded. HAART is the best treatment to improve immune function in HIV patients avoiding potentially fatal complications that accompany acute diarrhea during concomitant infection with C. parvum.
 ...
PMID:[Intestinal cryptosporidiosis in HIV infected children]. 1868 52

Cryptosporidium is a major cause of diarrhea in children in developing countries. However, there is no vaccine available and little is known about immune responses to protective antigens. We investigated antibody responses to p23, a putative vaccine candidate, in children in Bangladesh with cryptosporidiosis and diarrhea (cases) and uninfected children with diarrhea (controls), and p23 gene polymorphisms in infecting species. Serum IgM, IgG, and IgA responses to p23 were significantly greater in cases than controls after three weeks of follow-up. Cases with acute diarrhea had significantly greater serum IgA and IgM responses than those with persistent diarrhea, which suggested an association with protection from prolonged disease. The p23 sequences were relatively conserved among infecting species and subtype families. Although most children were infected with Cryptosporidium hominis, there was a cross-reactive antibody response to C. parvum antigen. These results support further development of p23 as a vaccine candidate.
 ...
PMID:Systemic antibody responses to the immunodominant p23 antigen and p23 polymorphisms in children with cryptosporidiosis in Bangladesh. 2230 51

Acute diarrhea caused by Cryptosporidium-protozoan is rarely diagnosed in Finland. The infection is usually self-limited and does not require antimicrobial treatment. Cryptosporidiosis, like other intestinal parasite infections, is mostly associated with travelling, but may also cause large waterborne epidemics. Contact with infected calves may be a source of cryptosporidiosis also in Finland. Cryptosporidiosis should be considered in patients suffering from severe or long-lasting watery diarrhea. We describe three cases of cryptosporidiosis, originating from infected calves. These cases show that verification of the etiology of human cryptosporidiosis associated with calves may be difficult and demands collaboration of clinicians, laboratories and veterinarians.
 ...
PMID:[Endemic cryptosporidiosis--underdiagnosed disease in Finland]. 2308 2

Cryptosporidium infection leads to acute diarrhea worldwide. The development of cryptosporidiosis is closely related to the immune status of its host, affecting primarily young ruminants, infants, and immunocompromised individuals. In recent years, several studies have improved our knowledge on the immune mechanisms responsible for the control of the acute phase of the infection and have highlighted the importance of innate immunity. The parasite develops in the apical side of intestinal epithelial cells, giving these cells a central role, as they are both the exclusive host cell for replication of the parasite and participate in the protective immune response. Epithelial cells signal the infection by producing chemokines, attracting immune cells to the infected area. They also actively participate in host defense by inducing apoptosis and releasing antimicrobial peptides, free or incorporated into luminal exosomes, with parasiticidal activity. The parasite has developed several escape mechanisms to slow down these protective mechanisms. Recent development of several three-dimensional culture models and the ability to genetically manipulate Cryptosporidium will greatly help to further investigate host-pathogen interactions and identify virulence factors. Intestinal epithelial cells require the help of immune cells to clear the infection. Intestinal dendritic cells, well known for their ability to induce and orchestrate adaptive immunity, play a key role in controlling the very early steps of Cryptosporidium parvum infection by acting as immunological sentinels and active effectors. However, inflammatory monocytes, which are quickly and massively recruited to the infected mucosa, seem to participate in the loss of epithelial integrity. In addition to new promising chemotherapies, we must consider stimulating the innate immunity of neonates to strengthen their ability to control Cryptosporidium development. The microbiota plays a fundamental role in the development of intestinal immunity and may be considered to be a third actor in host-pathogen interactions. There is an urgent need to reduce the incidence of this yet poorly controlled disease in the populations of developing countries, and decrease economic losses due to infected livestock.
 ...
PMID:Innate immune responses play a key role in controlling infection of the intestinal epithelium by Cryptosporidium. 2889 38

Recent reports highlighting the global significance of cryptosporidiosis among children, have renewed efforts to develop control measures. We have optimized the gnotobiotic piglet model of acute diarrhea to evaluate azithromycin (AZR), nitazoxanide (NTZ), or treatment with both against Cryptosporidium hominis, the species responsible for most human cases. Piglets, animals reproducibly clinically susceptible to C. hominis, when inoculated with 106 oocysts, developed acute diarrhea with oocyst excretion in feces within 3 days. Ten day-treatment with recommended doses for children, commencing at onset of diarrhea, showed that treatment with AZR or NTZ relieved symptoms early in the treatment compared with untreated animals. Piglets treated with AZR exhibited no reduction of oocyst excretion whereas treatment with NTZ significantly reduced oocyst shedding early, increasing however after 5 days. While treatment with AZR+NTZ led to considerable symptomatic improvement, it had a modest effect on reducing mucosal injury, and did not completely eliminate oocyst excretion. Doubling the dose of AZR and/or NTZ did not improve the clinical outcome, confirming clinical observations that NTZ is only partially effective in reducing duration of diarrhea in children. This investigation confirms the gnotobiotic piglet as a useful tool for drug evaluation for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis in children.
 ...
PMID:The therapeutic efficacy of azithromycin and nitazoxanide in the acute pig model of Cryptosporidium hominis. 2897 41


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next >>