Protracted enteric cryptosporidial infection in selective immunoglobulin A and saccharomyces opsonin deficiencies.

Chronic cryptosporidial infection in man usually occurs in those who are immunocompromised. We report a patient with a one year history of bowel symptoms resulting from persistent cryptosporidial infection of the colon. Investigations showed underlying selective IgA and saccharomyces opsonin deficiencies but no evidence of cell mediated immune dysfunction. Both selective immunoglobulin A and opsonin deficiencies are relatively common in the general population and may be a cause of susceptibility to persistent cryptosporidial infection.