page_title: Cryptosporidium
section_title: Life cycle
hierarchical_section_title: Cryptosporidium / Life cycle
caption_attribution_description: English: Life cycle of Cryptosporidium spp., the causative agents of Cryptosporidiosis. Deutsch: Lebenszyklus von Cryptosporidium spp., den ursächlichen Agenzien für die Kryptosporidiose.
context_page_description: Cryptosporidium, sometimes informally called crypto, is a genus of apicomplexan parasitic alveolates that can cause a respiratory and gastrointestinal illness that primarily involves watery diarrhea with or without a persistent cough in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient humans.
  Treatment of gastrointestinal infection in humans involves fluid rehydration, electrolyte replacement, and management of any pain. As of January 2015, nitazoxanide is the only drug approved for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis in immunocompetent hosts. Supplemental zinc may improve symptoms, particularly in recurrent or persistent infections or in others at risk for zinc deficiency. Cryptosporidium oocysts are 4–6 μm in diameter and exhibit partial acid-fast staining. They must be differentiated from other partially acid-fast organisms including Cyclospora cayetanensis.
context_section_description: Cryptosporidium has three developmental stages: meronts, gamonts and oocysts.
  The Cryptosporidium spore phase (oocyst) can survive for lengthy periods outside a host. It can also resist many common disinfectants, notably chlorine-based disinfectants.
caption: Life cycle of Cryptosporidium spp.
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