[Epidemiologic features of cryptosporidiosis in Turkmenistan]

To study epidemiological characteristics of cryptosporidosis (CS) in conditions of arid climate which contributes to suppression of the immune status of the organism.

1935 patients were treated for acute intestinal infection with watery diarrhea in Ashkhabad hospital in 1994-1999. Monocryptosporidiosis was diagnosed in 511 of them. Also, 46 mothers of CS children and 32 foci of the infection were examined. Cryptosporidial oocysts in the feces were detected by the Fulleborn's method. The preparations were stained by Ziehl-Neelsen.

CS incidence in Turkmenistan was high, especially in children aged 2 to 7 years and adults aged 31-35 and 46-50 years. CS occurs throughout the year, but the morbidity is higher in summer and winter. The leading route of transmission is alimentary, it prevails over contact, watery and perinatal.