Compare Cryptosporidium and Giardia lamblia infections in terms of transmission routes and predominant clinical features.

• A. Both fecal-oral; Cryptosporidium transmitted via contaminated water; causes profuse watery diarrhea, dehydration; Giardia transmitted via contaminated water/food; causes malabsorption and fatty, greasy stools
• B. Cryptosporidium is vector-borne; Giardia is foodborne; Cryptosporidium causes mild diarrhea; Giardia causes severe dehydration
• C. Both transmitted by skin contact; Cryptosporidium causes rash; Giardia causes urinary symptoms
• D. Cryptosporidium only transmitted sexually; Giardia only through mosquito bites; Both cause liver failure

Answer: (D)

Both infections are spread through the fecal-oral route, usually via contaminated water or food. They are not transmitted by vectors, skin contact, sexual transmission, or mosquitoes, and they do not cause liver failure.

Cryptosporidium infection is classically marked by profuse watery diarrhea with dehydration and cramping. The illness is often intense in otherwise healthy people and can be more severe or prolonged in immunocompromised individuals.

Giardia lamblia infection, on the other hand, tends to cause malabsorption with fatty, greasy stools, along with bloating and weight loss. The stool is typically pale and malodorous, reflecting poor nutrient absorption.

So, the shared transmission route is fecal-oral from contaminated water or food, but the predominant clinical features distinguish the two: watery diarrhea and dehydration with Cryptosporidium versus steatorrhea and malabsorption with Giardia.