ABSTRACT
Background: The intestinal coccidian protozoa <i>Cyclospora cayetanensis</i> has emerged as an important cause of parasitic diarrhea among children living in developing countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of <i>Cyclospora</i> among the school children of Kathmandu with reference to various associated risk factors.Methodology: A total of five hundred and seven stool samples from students between the age of 3–14 years, studying in 13 different schools in Kathmandu were collected during the study period (May–November, 2014) and processed at the Public Health Research Laboratory, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal. A modified acid fast staining technique (Kinyoun’s method) was used to detect oocyst of <i>Cyclospora</i> from the formal-ether concentrated stool samples.Results: <i>Cyclospora</i> was detected in 3.94% (20/507) of the stool samples examined. The prevalence was found to be highest among the students in the 3–5 year age group i.e. 10.15% (13/128), peaking during the rainy season (June–August). The detection rate was found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) among children presenting with diarrheal symptoms, household keeping livestock and consumers of raw vegetables/fruits, showing a prevalence of 10.57% (11/104), 10.11% (9/89) and 7.25% (14/193) respectively.Conclusion: Consumption of untreated drinking water, fresh produce (raw fruits/vegetables) without proper washing and the presence of livestock at home were found to be predisposing factors for higher susceptibility of infection due to <i>Cyclospora</i>. This finding confirms the existence of a public-health issue with potentially serious consequences whereby children can be infected through exposure to oocysts in contaminated food and water and get ill as a result.
ABSTRACT
<b>Background</b>: The intestinalcoccidian protozoa <i>Cyclospora cayetanensis </i>has emerged as an important cause of parasitic diarrhea among the childrenliving in developing countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of <i>Cyclospora</i> among the school childrenof Kathmandu with relation to various associated risk factors. <b>Methodology</b>: A total of fivehundred and seven stool samples from students between the age group 3-14 years,studying in 13 different schools of Kathmandu were collected during the studyperiod (May- November, 2014) and processed in Public Health ResearchLaboratory, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal. A modified Acid Faststaining technique (Kinyoun’s method) was used to detect oocyst of <i>Cyclospora</i> from the formal-etherconcentrated stool samples. <b>Results</b>: <i>Cyclospora</i> was detected in 3.94% (20/507) of the stool samplesexamined. The prevalence was found to be highest among the students between theage group 3-5 years i.e. 10.15% (13/128), peaking during the rainy season(June-August). The detection rate of the parasite was found to be significantlyhigher (p<0.05) among the children presenting with diarrheal symptom,household keeping livestock(s) and consumers of raw vegetables/fruits withprevalence10.57 % (11/104), 10.11% (9/89) and 7.25% (14/193) respectively. <b>Conclusion: </b>Consumptionof untreated drinking water, fresh produce (raw fruits/vegetables) withoutproper washing and livestock presence at home were found to be some of thepredisposing factors for higher susceptibility of infection due to <i>Cyclospora</i>. This finding confirms apublic-health issue with potentially serious consequences whereby, children canbe infected through the exposure to oocyst contaminated food, water and getill.
ABSTRACT
Background: Rotavirus as a causative agent of childhood diarrhea is known to cause seriousillness among children less than 5 years of age. This study examined the epidemiology of rotavirusdisease burden and diversity of G and P genotypes of rotavirus in Nepal.Methods: Stool samples were tested for rotavirus by Enzyme Immuno Assay and Group A rotaviruseswere detected by using both ELISA and RT-PCR in 2718 samples between 2009 and 2011.Results: Rotavirus was more frequently detected among inpatients (28.5%) than outpatients(15.2%). Over the three-year study period, 653 (24.4%) cases were positive for rotavirus byELISA. Genotyping by RT-PCR was done on 638 samples. The most prevalent genotype was G12P[6] (60.4%). Mixed infections were not uncommon (14% in 2009, 29% in 2010 an 7% in 2011).However, 41 were partially typed and 23 were completely untyped over the study period.Conclusions: This study highlights the rotavirus disease burden and diversity of rotavirus strainscirculating in Nepal. Continued sentinel surveillance will provide useful information to policy makerswith regard to rotavirus vaccine introduction.