Cryptosporidia can very rarely cause sinusitis and/or otitis in humans.
Clinical features:
(1) The patient has AIDS or other severe immunodeficiency.
(2) The patient is often infected with Cryptosporidium elsewhere (GI and/or respiratory tract).
(3) Sinusitis may be manifested as fever, nasal stuffiness, nasal discharge and/or facial pain.
(4) Otitis may be manifested by ear congestion, ear pain and fluid in the middle ear.
(5) Infection is resistant to multiple courses of antibiotics and appropriate management.
(6) Sampling at an infected site shows cryptosporidial oocysts.
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Specialty: Infectious Diseases, Otolaryngology
