The Microscopic Water-Borne Parasitic Organism - Essay Example

The division of the organism occurs rapidly with 12-14 hours being the time taken for one generation. This rapid division results in a large accumulation of the organism within the intestinal tract of the hosts beginning with the ileum and followed by infection of the duodenum and the large intestine. In the case of individuals with a suppressed immune system, the organism can also colonize the stomach, biliary and pancreatic ducts, and respiratory tracts. The major clinical signs of cryptosporidiosis are watery diarrhea, loss of weight and cramping of the abdominal region, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and headache. Individuals can also have a low-grade fever during the infection stage. In addition, immunocompromised individuals can also suffer from electrolyte imbalance. The time taken for the oocytes to be shed in the feces is about 4 days and they can be shed in the feces for 6-12 days in the case of healthy individuals and for a longer period in immune-compressed people (Aquatic pathogens).

4. Treatments
In the case of healthy individuals, the organism will generally disappear within a month of infection. In case there is severe diarrhea and dehydration anti-diarrheal drugs and rehydration therapy is given to patients. The treatment regimen for immunocompromised individuals could be more elaborate especially when the infection becomes chronic resulting in chronic diarrhea, dehydration, wasting, and even death (Aquatic pathogens).

5. Methods used to control the spread of the organism if these exist.
As the disease is principally water-borne, the parasite can exist in untreated water which is contaminated with feces or other sources containing the organism. Proper water treatment methods undertaken by municipal and public water carriers can help to disinfect the water and kill the organism. As the organism is resistant to chlorine treatment, the watersheds can be protected through hygienic maintenance and proper coagulation and filtration methods. The use of ozone or UV radiation for water treatment can also provide additional protection against infection. At home, sub-micron filters can be used to prevent the ingestion of the microbe in addition to boiling the water before consumption and use. Infectivity of the organism can also be destroyed when using 5-10% ammonium, 10% formaldehyde, freeze drying, and exposure to temperatures below freezing point or above 65˚F for 30 minutes (Aquatic pathogens). Read More