Small intestine & ampulla
Infectious disorders
Cryptosporidium
Author: Hanni Gulwani, M.B.B.S.
Last author update: 1 August 2012
Last staff update: 19 November 2020
Copyright: 2003-2023, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Cryptosporidium parvum[TI] small bowel
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Diagnosis | Microscopic (histologic) description | Microscopic (histologic) images | Positive stains | Differential diagnosisCite this page: Gulwani H. Cryptosporidium. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/smallbowelcryptosporidiosis.html. Accessed June 3rd, 2023.
Definition / general
- Acid fast protozoa which causes self limited disease in immunocompetent but severe watery diarrhea resistant to most therapy in immunocompromised (J Biomed Res 2012;25:1)
Diagnosis
- Acid fast infective oocyst in stool
Microscopic (histologic) description
- 2 - 5 micron basophilic spherical structures attached to microvillus surface of epithelium
- Variable villus abnormality, may have eosinophils infiltrating mucosa
Microscopic (histologic) images
Images hosted on other servers:
Various images
Differential diagnosis
- Cellular debris
- Mucin
