Schistosomal hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis is a possible risk for cryptosporidium parvum infection in a rural community

ABSTRACT

The study included 151 patients in 3 groups 61 patients [group I] with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis and ascites including 25 with [group I a] and 36 without prolonged or recurrent diarrhoea [group I b], 60 patients [group II] with liver cirrhosis and ascites including 25 with [group II a] and 35 without prolonged or recurrent diarrhoea [group II b] and 30 patients [group III] with prolonged or recurrent diarrhoea without liver disease. Twenty five healthy subjects from their relatives were used as control. All came from a rural area near Tanta city and were selected to study the relation of schistosomal hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis to Cryptosporidium parvum infection and the possible role of environment in this rural community. Stool examination using safranine - methylene blue and direct immunofluorescent stains for oocysts and serum examination by indirect immunofluorescent technique for antioocyst antibody levels. The results showed significant difference between group I a versus I b, II a versus II b, I a + II a versus lb + II b, I a + II a versus III and all subgroups versus control but insignificant between lb, II b and lb + II b versus III and I versus II and insignificant difference between methods of stool and serum examination as regards positivety. Patients positive for Cryptosporidium are usually debilitated and having watery diarrhoea and sometimes abdominal cramps. Patients and control gave history of contact with domestic animals. It may be concluded that patients with liver fibrosis or cirrhosis are liable to Cryptosporidium infection which is higher in those associated with severe watery diarrhoea and the environment has a role in infection of potentially immune suppressed patients