Acute cryptosporidiosis as a cause of sudden recurrence of digestive symptoms in patients with Crohn's disease.

Gastrointestinal symptoms occurring in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) can be related to disease activity or to intercurrent infection. Absence of appropriate stool work-up can lead to misdiagnosis and wrong treatment. We report here two cases of acute cryptosporidiosis in patients with CD. This microorganism can trigger IBD flare or cause severe infections in immunocompromised host. Adding specific search for oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum using the Ziehl-Neelsen technique to the microbiologic work-up from stools in patients with Crohn's disease seeking medical intervention for sudden exacerbation of digestive symptoms seems to be recommended.