Long-term sequelae of sporadic cryptosporidiosis: a follow-up study

AbstractTo determine the frequency of occurrence of sequelae following cryptosporidiosis. A follow-up study was performed during a case-control study for sporadic cryptosporidiosis in the Netherlands (2013 –2016). Cryptosporidiosis cases were invited to complete a follow-up questionnaire 4 months after diagnosis. Using a case-crossover study design, we compared the frequencies of reported symptoms 4 months after the acute phase to those reported 4 months before the onset of illness and during ill ness. Frequencies of symptoms in the pre- to post-infection phases were also compared with those of a population control group.Cryptosporidium species-specific effects were also studied. Logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for symptoms occurrence. Of the 731 available cases, 443 (60%) responded and 308 (42%) could be included in the follow-up study. The median age was 26  years (range 1–80); 58% were female; 30% were infected withC.hominis and 70% withC.parvum. Compared to before illness, cases were significantly more likely to report dizziness (OR  = 2.25), headache (OR = 2.15), fatigue (OR = 2.04), weight loss (OR = 1.82), diarrhoea (OR = 1.50), abdominal pain (OR = 1.38) or joint pain (OR = 1.84). However, symptoms of joint pain and headache occurred among cases after illness at a rate that was not significantly different from that observed in the general population. There were no significant differences in post-...
Source: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research