Epidemiological study of cryptosporidiosis in immunocompetent & immunocompromised children, prepared parasitic antigen and used it in IFAT Kawan.M.H ,Shether.M.M

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).