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Opportunistic parasites among immunosuppressed children in Minia District, Egypt

Ekhlas H Abdel-Hafeez1, Azza K Ahmad, Basma A Ali

  • 1Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia 61111, Egypt. ekhlas.abdelhafeez@med.miniauniv.edu.eg

The Korean Journal of Parasitology
|March 28, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Immunosuppressed children in Egypt show significantly higher parasitic infections, with Cryptosporidium parvum being most common. Immunocompetent children had lower rates, primarily Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Parasitology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health in Egypt

Background:

  • Parasitic infections pose a significant health burden, particularly in pediatric populations.
  • Immunocompromised individuals are more susceptible to opportunistic parasitic infections.
  • Understanding the prevalence of specific protozoa is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and types of parasitic infections in pediatric patients in Minia District, Egypt.
  • To compare infection rates between immunosuppressed and immunocompetent children.
  • To identify the most common protozoan pathogens in each group.

Main Methods:

  • Stool samples from 450 children (200 immunosuppressed, 250 immunocompetent) were analyzed.
  • Diagnostic methods included wet saline/iodine mounts, formol-ether sedimentation, modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain, and Giemsa stain.
  • Statistical analysis was performed to compare infection rates between the two groups.

Main Results:

  • Overall parasitic infection rates were significantly higher in immunosuppressed children (94%) compared to immunocompetent children (60%).
  • In immunosuppressed children, Cryptosporidium parvum (60.2%) was the predominant pathogen, followed by Blastocystis hominis, Isospora belli, and Cyclospora caytenensis.
  • In immunocompetent children, Entamoeba histolytica (24.6%) and Giardia lamblia (17.6%) were the most frequently detected protozoa.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric parasitic infections are highly prevalent in Minia, Egypt, with a marked increase in immunosuppressed children.
  • Cryptosporidium parvum is a major cause of parasitic infection in pediatric patients with compromised immunity.
  • Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia are significant pathogens in immunocompetent children, highlighting the need for diverse diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Keywords:
Blastocystis hominisCryptosporidium parvumCyclospora caytenensisEgyptIsospora belliMiniaimmunosuppressionopportunistic parasite

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