Cryptosporidiosis in a Leukemia Child with Severe Diarrhea

Abstract

Protozoa of the genus Cryptoporidium are smallc occidian parasites that infect the mucosal epithelium of a variety of animals and humans, causing protracted diarrhea in immunodeficient or malnourished patients as well as selflimited illness in previously healthy individuals. Cryptosporidiosis in a resected appendix from a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia is reported. He had had severe protracted watery diarrhea with abdominal pain for one month. The standard hematoxylin and eosin stain revealed many spherical, basophilic organisms on the apical surface of the mucosal epithelial cells. The various stages of the Cryptosporidium paroum were identified by electron microscopy. It is important to recognize this organism because it is a widespread pathogen of diarrheal illness and may cause life-threatening disease in immunocompromised patients especially in acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients.