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Multisite study of cryptosporidiosis in children with diarrhea in India

Sitara Swarna Rao Ajjampur1, Farzana Begum Liakath, Arun Kannan

  • 1Department of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore 632004, India.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|April 16, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Cryptosporidium, a common cause of childhood diarrhea in India, was studied across multiple sites. Cryptosporidium hominis was the predominant species identified, with specific subgenotypes prevalent nationwide.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cryptosporidium species are a significant cause of diarrheal illness in young children globally.
  • Limited data exists on the molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium in India, particularly in hospitalized pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct the first multi-site molecular investigation of Cryptosporidium species and subgenotypes in children with diarrhea in India.
  • To determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium in hospitalized children across different Indian regions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of diarrheal stool samples from hospitalized children (<5 years) in Delhi, Trichy, and Vellore.
  • Utilized microscopy, PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and sequencing of SSU rRNA and Cpgp40/15 loci for species and subgenotype identification.

Main Results:

  • Overall prevalence of cryptosporidial diarrhea was 2.7% (70/2,579 children), with 75% being under two years old.
  • Cryptosporidium hominis was the most frequently identified species (59/67), with subgenotypes Ie, Ia, Ib, and Id found across all study sites.
  • A novel Cryptosporidium parvum subgenotype, designated IIn, was discovered in Vellore.

Conclusions:

  • Cryptosporidium hominis is the dominant species causing diarrhea in young Indian children.
  • The study identified common and novel subgenotypes, contributing to the understanding of Cryptosporidium transmission dynamics in India.
  • Environmental factors, such as hotter and drier weather, may correlate with increased Cryptosporidium positivity in specific regions like Delhi.

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