Abstract
BackgroundCryptosporidiosis is a disease caused by infection with an intestinal coccidian parasite Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium species are the second leading cause of diarrheal disease and death in children in developing countries. Until now, no data have been available or published on its prevalence among children with diarrhea in Sudan. Therefore, this paper was designed to determine the prevalence rate of Cryptosporidium among children with diarrhea under 5 years who were admitted to Kosti Teaching Hospital.MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study including children under 5 years old admitted to the pediatric section of the hospital between September 2020 and December 2020. A total of one-hundred and fifty stool samples were collected. All stool samples were examined using the modified Ziehl Neelsen (mZN) staining technique and then examined microscopically for Cryptosporidium infection.ResultsA total of 150 children were examined out of which 70 presented with diarrhea. A greater prevalence of 19/70 (27.1%) of Cryptosporidium was observed in children with diarrhea than children without diarrhea 7/80 (8.8%). There was a significant relationship between the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and the presence of diarrhea in children under 5 years in the Kosti Teaching Hospital(P < 0.05). It was found that a higher prevalence was registered among children using piped-water sources for drinking.ConclusionsThe overall prevalence of parasite detected was 17.3% among children admitted to Kosti Teaching Hospital. The prevalence rate of the infection among Children with diarrhoea was 27.1%. Studying the prevalence rate of cryptosporidiosis among diarrheic children may predict their health status, leading to a better diagnosis, treatment, and, therefore, patients’ status improvement.
Highlights
Cryptosporidiosis is a disease caused by infection with an intestinal coccidian parasite Cryptosporidium
This study aims to report on the prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis among children with diarrhea attending Kosti Teaching Hospital, White Nile State, Sudan
Diarrhea and stool consistency from children ages 5 years and below in Kosti (n = 150) A total of 70/150 (46.7%) participants were presented with diarrhea whereas the remaining 80/150 (53.3%) children were presented with formed/semi-formed stool
Summary
Cryptosporidiosis is a disease caused by infection with an intestinal coccidian parasite Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium species are the second leading cause of diarrheal disease and death in children in developing countries. Cryptosporidium species are single-celled coccidian parasites that cause the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis [1,2,3,4]. They can be found in soil, food, water, and on surfaces that have been contaminated with fecal matter from infected humans or animals. Cryptosporidiosis is a worldwide illness caused by the coccidian parasite Cryptosporidium, which infects numerous species of vertebrates, including humans. Abdominal cramps, vomiting, nausea, dehydration, and weight loss are other symptoms associated with cryptosporidiosis. Diarrhoea and dehydration may be more severe and possibly life-threatening among individuals with weakened immune systems [10,11,12,13]
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