Controversial fungal and protozoan gastrointestinal infections

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Abstract
Various aspects of gastrointestinal infections caused by Candida, Cryptosporidium, and Blastocystis organisms remain controversial. Whether Candida species can serve as etiologic agents of enteritis remains debatable despite a recent prospective study of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Also questionable is whether benign esophageal disease can be caused by Candida species. These studies are reviewed in context with studies concerning the pathogenicity of Candida albicans. Cryptosporidiosis is an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-defining illness but it also occurs in a self-limiting form in normal individuals. Epidemiologic evidence suggests that asymptomatic cryptosporidiosis occurs in children and can be a zoonosis. New antiparasitic therapies are under investigation. These therapies are discussed along with recent observations concerning the immunology of this disease. Enteritis due to Blastocystis hominis remains enigmatic. Evidence continues to accumulate suggesting that Blastocystis species can act as etiologic agents. Improved methods for visualizing organisms in stool suggests that the organism is more abundant than previously believed.

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