Cryptosporidium spp. Biological Agent Reference Sheet (BARS)

Updated December 1, 2023

Summary

Agent Characteristics 

Risk Group: RG-2, associated with human disease, rarely serious; preventive or therapeutic interventions are often available. 

Agent Type: Parasite   

Description: Cryptosporidium “Crypto” is an intracellular apicomplexan parasite. The oocyst is the infectious form that resides in the environment. After entry into the vertebrate host, the oocyst leaves the oocyst form (excystation) and sporozoites are released. The latter forms target epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal or, in extremely rare cases, respiratory tract. Gastrointestinal infection with Cryptococcus can occur as result of aerosol exposure, and gastrointestinal symptoms last around 1-2 weeks in non-immunocompromised individuals. Within the epithelial cell, new schizogony and merogony develop. Male and female gametogonia also develop within the epithelial cell and upon fertilization, new oocysts are formed. The thick- walled oocyst is excreted from the host and the thin- walled oocyst perpetuates the infection in the host. Oocyst are infective upon excretion permitting direct fecal-oral transmission. Since oocysts are shed in fecal materials, they are frequently in the presence of other microbes which may be harmful to human or animal health. 

Host Range: Multiple species of Cryptosporidium infect both humans and animals.  

Host Shedding: Feces                                              Route of Exposure to Humans: Ingestion 

Infectious Dose: 132 oocysts                                  Incubation Period: 2-10 days, 7 days average

Health Hazards

Signs and symptoms of infection may include:

• Flu-like symptoms (i.e. fever, headache, dehydration, weight loss, lethargy)
• Gastrointestinal symptoms (i.e. loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)

Immunizations: None available.                            Prophylaxis*: treatment with Nitazoxanide

*Formal medical advice is obtained during medical consultations with Cornell Health or primary healthcare provider as needed.

Agent Viability 

For more guidance on disinfection see: disinfectant selection.

Laboratory Hazards 

• High energy-creating activities (centrifugation, sonication, high pressure systems, vortexing, tube cap popping) 
• Handling of sharps (needles, scalpels, microtome blades, broken glass, etc.) 
• Splash/droplet-creating activities (shaking incubators, liquid culturing, mechanical pipetting) 
• Equipment contamination
• Exposed skin/uncovered wounds 

Laboratory Acquired Infection (LAI) History: multiple LAIs reported, numerous outbreaks among veterinary students.

Laboratory Handling Guidelines 

Laboratory Biosafety Level (BSL): BSL-2

Waste Management: Regulated Medical Waste (RMW)

Shipping Guidance: Refer to EHS Biological Materials Shipping 

BSL-2 Containment Requirements Summary

Animal Vivarium Guidance

Animal Housing Biosafety Level (ABSL): ABSL-2

Animal Biosecurity: Experimental animals are housed separately 

Perform Inoculations: Using Biosafety Cabinet (BSC)

Change Cages: Using Cage Changing Stations and a Biosafety Cabinet (BSC)

Exposure and Spill Procedures 

Mucous Membranes: Flush eyes, mouth, or nose for 15 minutes at an eyewash station. See: responding to exposures.

Other Exposures: Wash with soap and water for 15 minutes (open wounds, sores, etc.) or a minimum of 20 seconds for areas with intact skin. 

Small Spills: Notify others working in the lab. Don appropriate PPE. For spills involving fecal material, cover area of the spill with paper towels, working from the perimeter toward the center, use the paper towels to remove the spill and associated organic material. Discard contaminated paper towels. For spills involving fecal material and all other spills apply (or re-apply) 6% hydrogen peroxide on the spill site, Allow 20 minutes of contact time. After 20 minutes use paper towels to remove the 6% hydrogen peroxide. See: spill cleanup.

Large Spills: Request assistance from the EHS Spill Team by calling CUPD dispatch. Call 911 from a campus phone or 607-255-1111 from a mobile phone.

Incident Reporting: Immediately report the incident to supervisor and complete the EHS online injury/illness report as soon as possible.

Medical Follow-Up:

• For students, seek medical attention at Cornell Health or local primary care provider. Call Cornell Health at 607-255-5155 (24-hour phone consultation line) or a local urgent care. 
• For faculty and staff, seek medical evaluation with a local primary care provider or urgent care. Cornell Health does not see employees for post-exposure care. 
• Emergencies: Call 911 from a campus phone or 607-255-1111 from a mobile phone.