Cytomegalovirus Infection Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is caused by the cytomegalovirus, a deoxyribonucleic acid, ether-sensitive virus belonging to the herpes family. Also known as generalized salivary gland disease, CMV infection occurs…
Cyclospora Cayetanensis Infection C. cayetanensis is a protozoan parasite from the phylum Apicomplexa, a group of organisms closely related to pathogens that affect birds. These parasites cause a GI infection…
Cryptosporidiosis Contact Precautions Cryptosporidiosis, also known as “crypto,” is a highly contagious intestinal infection that typically results in acute, self-limiting diarrhea. However, in immunocompromised patients—who contract it more often—cryptosporidiosis causes…
Cryptococcosis Cryptococcosis, also called torulosis or European blastomycosis, is caused by a fungus—usually Cryptococcus neoformans—that is found in soil and bird droppings. C. gattii, another species, less commonly causes symptoms…
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare, rapidly progressive viral disease that attacks the central nervous system, causing dementia and such neurologic signs and symptoms as myoclonic jerking, ataxia,…
Coxsackievirus Infection Contact Precautions Coxsackieviruses, members of the Enterovirus family, are divided into two groups, type A and type B. Type A viruses cause hand, foot, and mouth disease and…
Coccidioidomycosis Coccidioidomycosis, also called Valley fever or San Joaquin Valley fever, is caused by the fungus Coccidioides immitis and occurs primarily as a respiratory infection. Secondary sites of infection include…
Clostridium Difficile Infection Contact Precautions C. difficile is a gram-positive anaerobic bacterium that typically produces two toxins, toxins A and B, and causes antibiotic-associated diarrhea. C. difficile infection is most…
Clonorchiasis Clonorchiasis is an infection of the bile ducts caused by the Chinese liver fluke, Clonorchis sinensis. This chronic disease sometime lasts 30 years or longer but is rarely fatal….
