DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2014.v02i03.054

Pages: 1134-1138

Cryptosporidiosis induce a self-limiting diarrhea in immunocompetent individuals but might be fetal in immunocompromised AIDS patients. Diagnosis of Cryptosporidiosis is not possible through routine stool examination, treatment and control of the disease is difficult. In this study the causative agent of diarrhea in children referred to a university affiliated hospital in Kut, Iraq during October 2011 to January 2012 was assessed. A total of 100 children who suffered from watery diarrhea and abdominal pain were recruited. Stool samples were collected and examined using Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA), modified acid fast stain and ImmunoCard methods. The results showed that 34 of the samples were positive for Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts using modified acid fast stain, and from 34 positive ones 30 of the samples were positive with ImmunoCard and 28 of the samples were positive with DFA. The rate of Cryptosporidium parvum was significantly (p < 0.004) higher in children aged less than one year than the children older than one year. The rate of Cryptosporidium parvum infection in male was higher than female (17% vs.13%).