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