Persisting symptoms after Cryptosporidium hominis outbreak: a 10-year follow-up from Östersund, Sweden 2023 Boks et al

In late 2010, an outbreak of Cryptosporidium hominis affected 27,000 inhabitants (45%) of Östersund, Sweden. Previous research shows that abdomen and joint symptoms commonly persist up to 5 years post-infection. It is unknown whether Cryptosporidium is associated with sequelae for a longer duration, how persisting symptoms present over time, and whether sequelae are associated with prolonged infection.

In this prospective cohort study, a randomly selected cohort in Östersund was surveyed about cryptosporidiosis symptoms in 2011 (response rate 69.2%). A case was defined as a respondent reporting new diarrhoea episodes during the outbreak. Follow-up questionnaires were sent after 5 and 10 years. Logistic regressions were used to examine associations between case status and symptoms reported after 10 years, with results presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals. Consistency of symptoms and associations with case status and number of days with symptoms during outbreak were analysed using X2 and Mann–Whitney U tests. The response rate after 10 years was 74% (n = 538). Case status was associated with reporting symptoms, with aOR of ~3 for abdominal symptoms and ~2 for joint symptoms. Cases were more likely to report consistent symptoms. Cases with consistent abdominal symptoms at follow-up reported 9.2 days with symptoms during the outbreak (SD 8.1), compared to 6.6 days (SD 6.1) for cases reporting varying or no symptoms (p = 0.003).

We conclude that cryptosporidiosis was associated with an up to threefold risk for reporting symptoms 10 years post-infection. Consistent symptoms were associated with prolonged infection.

Open access, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00436-023-07866-8

 

Once again, we have people who have long term symptoms from an infection. However, looking at websites about this infection indicates the understanding is it takes healthy people about 2 weeks to recover, no treatment required.

Exceptions to the rule, even numerous exceptions are still neglected. One wonders how many millions have been cast adrift due to suffering from conditions that are an exception to the rule.

Survival of the fittest still reigns as a governing principle, making it easier to malign and neglect those who remain ill or disabled after infections regarded as short lived.