Cryptosporidiosis in Gaza strip

Abstract

The present study aimed to search for the presence of Cryptosporidium and determination the prevalence among patients in Gaza strip. Three hundred stool samples were collected from children less than five years old who attended Al-Nasser hospital and European hospital. The study was done in the period from June to August 2007 and January to March 2008. Stool samples were inspected by wet mount saline, concentration techniques by formalin after that acid-fast stain and ELISA. The results of the present study indicated that the prevalence of Cryptosporidium was 18% by modified acid-fast stain and (16.7%) by ELISA where this parasite is uneasy to be detected by direct smear microscopy. It was found that 12-24 month age groups are more susceptible to infection by Cryptosporidium and significant relationship was found between age, sex and the infection. A strong association between Cryptosporidium and abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting were found with statistical significance p= (0.001). Significant association between children who live in camps and a village and cryptosporidiosis with statistical significance p= (0.03). There was a relationship between Cryptosporidium infection and the children who live close to open swage or have septic tank, statistical significance (p=.001). Another association between Cryptosporidium and children who their mothers are employee or student with statistical significance p= (0.001). It was concluded that cryptosporidiosis still exist among children in Gaza strip and the prevalence of Cryptosporidium is high when compared to that in developed countries and staining was very important methods in the detection of such parasite. It is recommended that cryptosporidiosis should be considered and attention should to be given to such neglected and missed diagnosed parasites. Using acid-fast stain methods was found very important. Improvement of the diagnostic techniques used in routine parasitology in the local hospitals.