Cryptosporidium parvum: public health concern among children of northern areas Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Cryptosporidium parvum is enteric coccidian parasite that has emerged as an important cause of diarrhea worldwide, particularly in children and immunocompromised individuals. Cryptosporidiosis is endemic in developing countries with the long term effects on growth and development of young children. To determine the frequency of Cryptosporidium parvum infection in young children presenting with diarrhea at Paediatric unit, Combined Military Hospital Gilgit. Descriptive Study was conducted at Department of Pathology, Combined Military Hospital Gilgit, from August 2007 through July 2008. Stool specimens from young children [< 6 years] presenting with watery diarrhea were collected. Modified Ziehl-Neelsen [MZN] staining method was used for diagnosis of cryptosporidium oocysts. Positive cases were further screened for the presence of other parasites ova/cysts by examining wet mount and iodine stained slides of specimens. They were cultured on standard bacteriological medias for the isolation of enteric bacterial pathogens. Cryptosporidium oocysts were found in twenty eight [9.4%] out of 300 children suffering from diarrhea. Giardia cysts were also present in stools of 6 of 28 children. Male to female ratio was 21. Infection was more common in children between 6-24 months of age and was associated with abdominal pain. Out of 28 cases 20 [71%] had acute watery diarrhoea and 8 [29%] presented with chronic diarrhoea. Direct or indirect contact with domestic animals was present in most of the C. parvum infected children. C. parvum is an important cause of diarrhea in young children and frequency Cryptosporidium is considerably high. Laboratory investigations for Cryptosporidium should be encouraged to consider when young patients present with watery stool