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

Another infection that leads to long-term symptoms including fatigue. I hope they follow-up patients again at a later stage.

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https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10096-018-3268-9

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases

pp 1–8| Cite as

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

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• Authors and affiliations

• Zsófia IglóiEmail author
• L. Mughini-Gras
• L. Nic Lochlainn
• A. Barrasa
• J. Sane
• S. Mooij
• B. Schimmer
• J. Roelfsema
• W. van Pelt
• T. Kortbeek

Open Access
Original Article
First Online: 05 May 2018

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Abstract
To 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 illness. 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 with C. hominis and 70% with C. 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-infection symptom occurrence between C. hominis and C. parvum. The disease burden of cryptosporidiosis extends beyond the acute phase of the infection, with cases reporting both intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms up to 4 months following infection.

Keywords
Cryptosporidium hominis Cryptosporidium parvum Case-crossover study Long-term sequela The Netherlands