preliminary study on the prevalence of parasitic Infections in immunocompromised children

ABSTRACT

Parasitic infections might become life threatening in immuno-compromised children' The study assessed the parasites' prevalence in different groups of Immuno-compromised children. It was conducted on 120 children of whom 90 were inpatients in Tanta University Pediatric Hospital and were divided into 6 groups. GI malignant diseases, GII renal diseases, GIII aggressive corticosteroid therapy, GIV malnourished, GV diabetic and GVI miscellaneous. GVII comprised healthy children as control. Each child was subjected to history taking, clinical examination and examination of 3 stool samples by direct wet smear and a concentration technique. Coproculture and smear staining by a special stain, as well as examination of one blood sample for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were done. The diagnostic efficacy of an immuno-chromatographic test for Giardial Cryptosporidiurn coproantigen was also assessed. The results revealed parasitic infections in 62.2% of the children in the test groups. Cryptosporidium was the most prevalent [33.3%]. Cryptosporidium and Microsporidia were significantly prevalent in GI, Giardia was significantly high in GII, and Strongyloides stercoralis was detected in GIII. Coproantigen detection test showed 100% sensitivity, 87.5% specificity and 95% accuracy for Giardia; and 13.3%, l00%, 35% for Cryptosporidium respectively