Cryptosporidium oocysts in stool specimens submitted to routine ova and parasite examination: 38 months survey

Abstract

The fecal samples submitted for routine ova and parasite examination in Children's Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, between October 1984 and November 1987, were investigated for Cryptosporidial oocysts, indicated that the prevalence was 1.61 per cent. The infection played an important role in aetiology of gastroenteritis and/or diarrhea. Because the children, particularly those less than 2 years of age who had watery and non-bloody stools and accompanied with gastrointestinal symptoms were found to have Cryptosporidium oocysts, almost (84.31%) of the infected children were hospitalized. Suggestively, Cryptosporidiosis should be included in the diagnosis of diarrheal disease in children and diarrheal illness in immunocompetent patients. In this report, the source of infection and the route of transmission was not identified but 80.39 per cent of children with cryptosporidiosis children were admitted with primary diagnosis of diarrhea together with pneumonia. The medication was Furazolidone or the combination of Trimethoprime and Sulphamethoxazone.