Incidence of Cryptosporidiosis among children at Ramadi city

Abstract

Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite and important pathogen of human and other vertebrate hosts. Transmission of parasite is direct,by either the fecal- oral route or the contamination of water supplies with the resistant infective oocyst stage (oocyst). Examinations were performed on 441 stool specimens refered for screening on the basis of diarrhoea and 315 stool specimens as controls. The study was carried out during the period from September,1995 to March, 1996 in Ramadi city. Combination of Formalin-Ether concentration method with modified Acid-Fast stain were used for all specimens . From 9 (2.2% ) of 441specimens obtained from patients , Cryptosporidium Oocysts were isolated, but no parasite isolated from 315 stool specimens of control groups ( 0.00). High rate infection was among (1-21( months age groups and males recorded the highest( 5 / 226 ) (2.2 %)than females (4/215) ( 1.9%). The study includes two types of residency, then water source plays a role in the transmission of the infection .The majority of Cryptosporidium Oocysts were recovered during September ( 5.35 % ) while the minority during January( 0.00).