2 research outputs found
Infection Rate of Cryptosporidium parvum among Diarrheic Children in Isfahan
Abstract Objective: Cryptosporidiosis is an important enteric parasitic infection among infants and children in developing countries with significant morbidity and mortality especially among immuno-suppressed individuals. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of enteric cryptosporidiosis in children presenting with diarrhea in Isfahan. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2007 to June 2008 in three university hospitals in Isfahan. Children aged 1 month to 10 years presenting with acute or persistent diarrhea were selected consecutively. The oocyst of C. parvum was investigated in stool specimens using a modified acid-fast staining method. Findings: During the study period, 606 children (mean age 42.4±30.0 months, 58.1% female) were recruited. Acute and persistent diarrhea was present in 422 (69.6%) and 184 (30.4%) of the children, respectively. Twenty eight (4.6%) specimens were oocyst positive. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was significantly higher in children with persistent diarrhea compared to children with acute diarrhea (12.5% vs 1.2%; P<0.001). Most of the infected children were under 5 years of age (89.2%), however, the age difference between infected and non-infected children was not statistically significant. Also, there was no significant difference between infected and non-infected children in gender. Conclusion: The prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis in children presenting with persistent diarrhea is considerable and we suggest routine stool examination for Cryptosporidium in this group of children
Infection Rate of Cryptosporidium parvum among Diarrheic Children in Isfahan
Objective: Cryptosporidiosis is an important enteric parasitic
infection among infants and children in developing countries with
significant morbidity and mortality especially among immuno-suppressed
individuals. The aim of the present study was to estimate the
prevalence of enteric cryptosporidiosis in children presenting with
diarrhea in Isfahan. Methods: This cross-sectional study was
conducted from August 2007 to June 2008 in three university hospitals
in Isfahan. Children aged 1 month to 10 years presenting with acute or
persistent diarrhea were selected consecutively. The oocyst of C.
parvum was investigated in stool specimens using a modified acid-fast
staining method. Findings: During the study period, 606 children
(mean age 42.4±30.0 months, 58.1% female) were recruited. Acute
and persistent diarrhea was present in 422 (69.6%) and 184 (30.4%) of
the children, respectively. Twenty eight (4.6%) specimens were oocyst
positive. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was significantly
higher in children with persistent diarrhea compared to children with
acute diarrhea (12.5% vs 1.2%; P<0.001). Most of the infected
children were under 5 years of age (89.2%), however, the age difference
between infected and non-infected children was not statistically
significant. Also, there was no significant difference between infected
and non-infected children in gender. Conclusion: The prevalence of
Cryptosporidiosis in children presenting with persistent diarrhea is
considerable and we suggest routine stool examination for
Cryptosporidium in this group of children