Epidemiological study of cryptosporidiosis in immunocompetent & immunocompromised children, prepared parasitic antigen and used it in IFAT

Abstract

An epidemiological study was done on 2 groups of children infected with watery diarrhea in some hospitals of Baghdad (group 1: immunocompetent outpatients, group 2: immunosuppressed inpatients). Modified cold Ziehl Neelsen stain was used in diagnosis. The whole oocysts antigen prepared after conduction of experimental infection in 2 calves by using isolated oocysts from children stool, and this prepared antigen was used in Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Technique (IFAT). The percentage of infection in the 2 groups of outpatients and inpatients were 21.2% and 32% respectively, and there was a difference in percentage of infection between the 3 groups of children, the highest was 36.4% in group with leukemia and received chemical and radiotherapy. There was no significant difference between the two sexes. The clinical signs of experimental infection began after 4 days and continued for 10 days. The oocysts appeared in IFAT as spherical in shape with clear walls and bright yellowish green color. There was no significant difference between the 2 methods used for diagnosis (stain and immunological test).