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Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum infection in childhood using various techniques
Tumay Doganci1, Engin Araz, Arzu Ensari
1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Social Security Children's Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Background:
The protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum, which causes acute gastroenteritis in both humans and animals, has become an important pathogen all over the world. C. parvum may cause asymptomatic or symptomatic acute infections of the digestive system in immunocompetent subjects, but life-threatening disease in immunocompromised hosts. The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of conventional microscopic staining techniques in the detection of C. parvum. For this purpose, 50 unselected immunocompetent asymptomatic children were evaluated for C. parvum during routine upper endoscopy.
Material/Methods:
Duodenal aspirates and duodenal biopsy samples from 37 girls and 13 boys, between the ages of 2 and 18 years, obtained by gastrointestinal upper endoscopy and concomitant stool samples were examined with different staining techniques.
Results:
Two stool samples and one duodenal aspirate were positive for C. parvum, but we could not demonstrate C. parvum in any duodenal biopsy samples. Dyspepsia was the primary indication for upper endoscopy in the patient with positive duodenal aspirate sample.
Conclusions:
These findings indicate that there is a low asymptomatic carrier rate in immunocompetent subjects with no involvement of intestinal villius attachment in the duodenum. We also conclude that C. parvum is an infrequent parasite in asymptomatic subjects, most probably due to a very low prevalence of HIV positivity in Turkey.
Insights
Cryptosporidium parvum, a cause of gastroenteritis, is infrequent in asymptomatic children. Conventional staining methods detected the parasite in stool and duodenal aspirates, but not biopsies, suggesting a low carrier rate.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Cryptosporidium parvum is a global pathogen causing gastroenteritis in humans and animals.
- Infections range from asymptomatic to severe, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
- This study evaluated microscopic staining for C. parvum detection in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the utility of conventional microscopic staining techniques for detecting Cryptosporidium parvum.
- To determine the prevalence of C. parvum in asymptomatic, immunocompetent children undergoing endoscopy.
Main Methods:
- Fifty asymptomatic children (2-18 years) provided stool, duodenal aspirate, and biopsy samples.
- Samples were analyzed using various conventional microscopic staining techniques.
- Gastrointestinal upper endoscopy was performed for sample collection.
Main Results:
- C. parvum was detected in two stool samples and one duodenal aspirate.
- No C. parvum was identified in any of the duodenal biopsy samples.
- The child with a positive duodenal aspirate presented with dyspepsia.
Conclusions:
- C. parvum appears to be an infrequent parasite in asymptomatic, immunocompetent children.
- Intestinal villi in the duodenum were not involved in these cases.
- Low asymptomatic carrier rates may be linked to low HIV prevalence.