A Study Of The Prevalence Of Cryptosporidium Parvum In Stool Samples Of Patients Of Tertiary Care Hospital, Ahmedabad.

ABSTRACT

Abstracts Background: Intestinal parasitic infections remain a serious public health problem globally.Although there could be many other causes of diarrhoea, the enteric protozoa Cryptosporidium parvumhave been recognized as important causes of both out-break-related and sporadic diarrhoea in humans. Both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals could be the victims but immunocompromised peoples are likely to be most seriously affected. This study was done to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvumin Stool samples. Methodology: A 100 Stool samples of patients visiting General Hospital, Sola, Ahmedabad from December 2013 to March 2014 were followed for Stool microscopy for demonstration of cyst of Cryptosporidium parvum.Modified ZN stain done from direct smear from stool sample but their concentration is increased by formal ether concentration technique. Results: Out of total 100 stool samples were examined in which 85 were positive for bacteriological infections and 15 for parasitic infection. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum infection in our study is 5 %. Among 100 patients only 3 were positive for Cryptosporidium infection in 96 immunocompetent patients and 2 were positive for Cryptosporidium infection in 4 immunocompromised patients. So higher rate of prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum infection seen in immunocompromised patients. Conclusion: Cryptosporidium infection is transmitted by feco-oral route & water borne, so proper sanitation and disinfection of water reduce the prevalence of infection. Cryptosporidium parvum diarrhoea is self-limiting illness and cured by fluid therapy. Drug therapy is only for severe infection. In immunocompromised patients like HIV antiretroviral therapy and fluid therapy is necessary for Cryptosporidium infection.