This paper should be cited as: Mesgarian, F. Sharbatkhori, M. Mohammadi, R. Rajabi, MH.
Prevalence of Cryptosporidium among Diarrheic Children Hospitalized in Gonbad Kavus City, 2011
Mesgarian, F. (MSc)1 Sharbatkhori, M. (PhD)2 Mohammadi, R. (MSc)3 Rajabi, MH. (MD)4
1.MSc of Parasitology, Gonbad Laboratory of Health Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
2.Assistant Professor of Parasitology, Department of Medical Parsitology & Mycology, School of Medicine, Laboratory Sciences Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
3.PhD Student of Epidemiology, School of Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4.Medical Laboratory, Gonbad Shohada Hospital, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Abstract
Background and Objective: Cryptosporidium is a common protozoan causing diarrhea in human, specifically in children. Hence, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of this protozoan among diarrheic children hospitalized in Gonbad Kavus in 2011.
Material and Methods: Three stool samples were collected from diarrheic children in two hospitals of Gonbad city and a relevant questionnaire was filled out for each child.The stool samples were concentrated by formalin ether method, and the infection was assessed by modified acid-fast staining method.
Results: Of 547 children, 27 (4.9%) were infected with cryptosporidiosis. There was no significant relationship between the amount of infection and gender and habitation area (urban/ rural). The infection rate was significantly prevalent in 2-4-year-old children (P=0.013). The most and the least infection rate were observed in spring and winter, respectively (P< 0.0001).There was a significant association between the disease and keeping animal (P= 0.041)
Conclusion: The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in diarrheic children in Gonbad is almost equal to other regions of the country and keeping animal and spring season may be considered as the risk factors for the disease.
Keywords: Cryptosporidium, Cryptosporidiosis, Diarrhea, Children, Golestan, Iran
Corresponding Author: Sharbatkhori, M.
Email: msharbatkhori@yahoo.com
Received: 4
Aug 2014
Revised: 19 Aug 2014
Accepted: 7 Jul 2014