Criteria

Case definitions for cryptosporidiosis[84]

Laboratory-confirmed cryptosporidiosis is defined as the detection of a member of the genus Cryptosporidium by 1 of the following methods:

  • Organisms in stool, intestinal fluid, tissue samples, or biopsy specimens

  • Antigens in stool or intestinal fluid

  • Nucleic acid by polymerase chain reaction in stool, intestinal fluid, tissue samples, biopsy specimens or sputum.

Where laboratory diagnosis is by immunochromatographic card/rapid card test, the diagnosis is considered probable; immunochromatographic card tests and enzyme immunoassay may be confirmed by staining and microscopy, according to local practice.

Cases can be classified as follows.

  • Confirmed: a case that meets the clinical description and at least 1 of the criteria for laboratory confirmation as described above. When available, species designation and molecular characterization should be reported.

  • Probable: a case that meets the clinical description and that is epidemiologically linked to a confirmed case.

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer