Cryptosporidiosis in man: Parasite life cycle and fine structural pathology

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Abstract
The Cryptosporidium described is a very small (3-4 .mu.m) opportunistic pathogenic coccidian parasite. Through 7 known human enteric infections it is now associated with diarrhea in immunosuppressed or immunodeficient individuals. Neither the full pathogenic potential nor the complete life cycle of this parasite are known, and there is no adequate chemotherapeutic agent for eradication. What is known of its intracellular intestinal forms and the fine structural changes occurring in parasitized epithelial cells has been described. A viral complication of the infection is discussed and mention is made of relevant cryptosporidial infections of domestic and other animals.