Facts
The reasons for choosing this particular
parasite was because of the type of interaction it has with
humans and animals, where it is found, and also the outcomes
from infection. We believe others should find this parasite
interesting as well becomes it is so close to home and you must
be careful of your surroundings so you don’t get infected.
There are many interesting facts associated with Cryptosporidium
parvum. This parasite is the most problematic from the months
March through June because of the increase run off from
rainwater (Upton, 2008). This excess run off leads to
contamination in many ways such as fecal contamination of
animals and when organisms drink the water, they become
infected. It was also interesting to find that some of the most
frequent waterborne illness is linked to C. parvum among humans
in the United States (CDC, 2003).
As stated before, C. parvum potentially causes the disease of
cryptosporidiosis. This disease will go away on its own if the
individual has a healthy immune system. AIDS patients and others
with immunodeficiency may have the disease for life potentially
leading to pulmonary system invasion followed by death (Health
Grades, 2013).
There has been a wide range of current studies and researches
completed to finding a way to improve the activity against C.
parvum. From the International Journal of Pharmaceutics, a
strategy to deliver antibiotics to the infected intestines was
found. Mucoadhesive nanosuspensions, a type of drug delivery
system, decreased the time of infection and also overcomes
problems regarding the severe diarrhea (Kayser, 2001).
We mentioned that one of the reasons why we chose this
particular parasite was because of where it is found. This
disease is closer to home than we think. In 1997, an outbreak of
Cryptosporidiosis occurred at a Minnesota zoo. Ten children were
attending a birthday party at the zoo and developed the symptoms
of this disease after playing in the interactive water fountain.
The zoo reported that they frequently replaced the water every
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but the filter was not flushed
according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This
goes to show that anything can happen even in the surroundings
where we think are least likely to be potentially harmful.
For some more interesting facts regarding
C. parvum, please visit this website below:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000617.htm
Next our are references, return to home, or to contacts.