Parasitic diseases in immunocompromised hosts. Cryptosporidiosis, isosporiasis, and strongyloidiasis.

Cryptosporidiosis and isosporiasis are intestinal infections caused by the protozoan parasites Cryptosporidium parvum and Isospora belli, respectively. HIV infection and other immunodeficiency diseases predispose human subjects to severe and prolonged cryptosporidiosis. There is also evidence that HIV infection predisposes to chronic isosporiasis. Strongyloidiasis is caused by a nematode worm, Strongyloides stercoralis. Administration of corticosteroids to patients with chronic low-grade S. stercoralis infection can trigger a fulminant, life-threatening form of strongyloidiasis.