Identification of Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts among Hospitalized Children under-5years in Northeastern Nigeria

Cryptosporidium parvumis among the major pathogens causing diarrheal diseases in children. It is of major public health significance due to its low infectious dose and its oocysts are highly resistant to chlorination, common household disinfectants and survive long periods in the environment. This study was designed to evaluate the occurrence of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in stool of hospitalized children under-5years. One hundred and fifty (150) stool samples were collected from one hundred and fifty children (Male:Female= 1:1.08, Mean Age±S.D=22.08 months ± 21.02) and were processed using the modified Ziehl-Nelson method for identification of protozoan oocysts. Out of the one hundred and fifty (150) stool samples analyzed, 16 tested positive to oocysts of C. parvum, which gives a parasite prevalence rate of 10.7%. This was observed to be higher among male patients (52.0%) and children between the age 32-41months (31.3%). Parasite prevalence in relation to age of patients was statistically not significant (X2=0.105, DF=1, P-value= 0.74591, p<0.05). Other intestinal protozoan parasites identified include Entamoeba histolytica(1.33%) and Giardia lamblia (2.60%

Strong linear correlation between parasite density and ABO-blood group among patients with malaria parasite infection

Background: Analysis of the dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum infection as it relates to the ABO blood group system could expand our understanding of malaria pathology and further global efforts in addressing the scourge of malaria disease. This study seeks to examine the association between malaria infection and parasite density in relation to the ABO blood group system.Methods: 298 patients (Age Mean±SD = 28.8±9.16) were selected at random and screened for malaria parasite infection and parasite density quantification using the thick blood film method. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine relationship between parasite density and blood group.Results: 88 (29.5%) patients tested positive to malaria parasite infection. Patients with blood group O recorded the highest number of positive cases (56.81%) and the least was found among those with blood group AB (3.42%). 93.18% of patients that tested positive were rhesus positive while 6.82% were rhesus negative. 40.90% of patients with mild parasitaemia and 10.23% of patients with moderate parasitaemia were of blood group O+. Pearson correlation coefficient was strong, direct and linear (r = 0.9184; r2 = 0.8434).Conclusions: This study has shown that there is a strong correlation between parasite density per microliter of blood in relation to the ABO-blood group type of individuals diagnosed with malaria parasite infection.