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Cryptosporidium gastroenteritis in immunocompetent children from Kuwait
Insights
Cryptosporidium parasites caused gastroenteritis in 1.6% of surveyed children in Kuwait. The illness, characterized by watery diarrhea, was self-limiting in immunocompetent children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Gastroenteritis is a common childhood illness.
- Cryptosporidium is an emerging enteropathogen globally.
- Epidemiological data on cryptosporidiosis in Kuwait is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in children hospitalized with gastroenteritis in Kuwait.
- To describe the clinical features and epidemiological characteristics of childhood cryptosporidiosis in Kuwait.
Main Methods:
- An 18-month prospective survey of children admitted to a hospital with gastroenteritis.
- Oocysts of Cryptosporidium were detected in stool samples.
- Clinical data including symptoms, duration of illness, and patient demographics were collected.
Main Results:
- Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 35 out of 2205 (1.6%) surveyed children.
- The affected children (5 months to 8 years) presented with watery diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and fever.
- The illness was self-limiting, with no oocyst excretion two weeks after symptom cessation. Peak incidence was observed in March and April.
Conclusions:
- Cryptosporidiosis is a relevant cause of gastroenteritis in immunocompetent children in Kuwait.
- Further epidemiological studies are needed to understand the transmission dynamics and public health impact of cryptosporidiosis in the region.
- The findings highlight the importance of considering Cryptosporidium in the differential diagnosis of childhood diarrhea.
Abstract:
During an 18 months' survey of children admitted to hospital with gastroenteritis, oocysts of the protozoan Cryptosporidium were detected in 35 cases (1.6% of the total 2205 surveyed). The affected children (age range 5 months to 8 years; mean 34.2 months) were immunocompetent, and had green and offensive watery diarrhoea. Vomiting (94%) with dehydration (80%), fever (66%) and abdominal pain (26%) were major clinical features of the diarrhoeal illness which lasted a mean 8.2 (range 3-14) days. Five children were infected with other enteropathogens. The illness was self-limiting in all cases and none were excreting oocysts 2 weeks after cessation of diarrhoea. Peak incidence occurred during the months of March and April, with no cases during the hottest months of July and August. There was no known contact with animals or pets; 4 children had other siblings affected and 2 conformed to cases of travellers' diarrhoea. The significance of cryptosporidiosis in Kuwait and the need for epidemiological studies are discussed.