Cryptosporidiosis (Cryptosporidium parvum)

1995 Case Definition

The 1995 case definition appearing on this page was re-published in the 1997 MMWR Recommendations and Reports titled Case Definitions for Infectious Conditions Under Public Health Surveillance [MMWR 1997;46(RR10)] (available at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00047449.htm). Thus, the 1995 and 1997 versions of this case definition are identical.

Clinical description

An illness caused by the protozoan Cryptosporidium parvum and characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, low-grade fever, nausea, and vomiting. Infected persons may be asymptomatic. The disease can be prolonged and life-threatening in severely immunocompromised persons.

Laboratory criteria for diagnosis

• Demonstration of Cryptosporidium oocysts in stool, or
• Demonstration of Cryptosporidium in intestinal fluid or small-bowel biopsy specimens, or
• Demonstration of Cryptosporidium antigen in stool by a specific immunodiagnostic test (e.g., enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)

Case classification

Probable: a clinically compatible case that is epidemiologically linked to a confirmed case

Confirmed: a case that is laboratory confirmed

See also:

• 1998 Case Definition

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