Ten percent of the population in developing countries excretes oocysts. In developed countries, the number is lower at 1–3%. The age group most affected are children from 1 to 9 years old.In Eastern Europe cryptosporidiosis in humans and animals is common, but there are considerable gaps in surveillance and a lack of comparable methods which is limit the understanding of the disease and detection of outbreaks. Research show a rich diversity of zoonotic subtypes of the parasite in animals indicating a rich potential of animal to human transmission. Roughly 30% of adults in the United States are seropositive for cryptosporidiosis, meaning that they contracted the infection at some point in their lives. History
The organism was first described in 1907 by Tyzzer, who recognised it was a coccidian. Research
A recombinant Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst surface protein (rCP15/60) vaccine has produced an antibody response in a large group of cows and also antibody response in calves fed rCP15/60-immune colostrum produced by these vaccinated cows. This is very promising. Human Cryptosporidium parvum infections are particularly prevalent and often fatal in neonates in developing countries and to immunocompromised people, such as AIDS patients. There is no commercially available effective vaccine against Cryptosporidium parvum, although passive immunization utilizing different zoite surface (glyco)proteins has shown promise. Developmental stages of the life cycle of the parasite might act as possible targets for vaccine development. The organism is detected in 65–97% of the surface-water supply in the United States and is resistant to most disinfectants used for the treatment of drinking water.
Neonatal stroke, similar to a stroke which occurs in adults, is defined as a disturbance to the blood supply of the developing brain in the first 28 days of life. This description includes both ischemic events, which results from a blockage of vessels, and hypoxic events, which results from a lack of oxygen to the brain tissue, as well as some combination of the two. One treatment with some proven benefits is hypothermia, but may be most beneficial in conjunction with pharmacological agents. Well-designed clinical trials for stroke treatment in neonates are lacking, but some current studies involve the transplantation of neural stem cells and umbilical cord stem cells; it is not yet known if this therapy is likely to be successful.Neonatal strokes may lead to cerebral palsy, learning difficulties, or other disabilities. A neonatal stroke occurs in approximately 1 in 4000 births, but is likely much higher due to the lack of noticeable symptoms. Presentation
A neonatal stroke is one that occurs in the first 28 days of life, though a late presentation is not uncommon (as contrasted with perinatal stroke, which occurs from 28 weeks gestation through the first 7 days of life). 80% of neonatal strokes are ischemic, and their presentation is varied, making diagnosis very difficult. The most common manifestation of neonatal strokes are seizures, but other manifestations include lethargy, hypotonia, apnoea, and hemiparesis. Seizures can be focal or generalized in nature. Stroke accounts for about 10% of seizures in term neonates.