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Symptoms and transmission of intestinal cryptosporidiosis
M Egger1, D Mäusezahl, P Odermatt
1Swiss Tropical Institute, Basel.
Insights
Cryptosporidium infection causes diarrhea in toddlers. This study found respiratory symptoms and person-to-person transmission are common routes, with travel to Mediterranean countries also a risk factor.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cryptosporidium species are a significant cause of diarrhea in young children.
- Understanding transmission routes and symptoms is crucial for effective public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the symptoms and transmission routes of Cryptosporidium infections in toddlers.
- To compare cryptosporidiosis cases with controls suffering from other diarrheal illnesses and healthy children.
Main Methods:
- A prospective case-control study was conducted in Basel, Switzerland.
- 455 children with diarrhea were screened for Cryptosporidium.
- Standardized interviews with mothers of cases and controls were performed.
Main Results:
- Twenty-one children (4.6%) tested positive for Cryptosporidium.
- Respiratory symptoms were more frequent in children with cryptosporidiosis compared to other diarrheal cases (42% vs 13%).
- Contact with individuals experiencing diarrhea and travel to Mediterranean countries were associated with increased risk.
Conclusions:
- Transient respiratory tract infection with Cryptosporidium may be prevalent in immunocompetent children.
- Person-to-person transmission is likely the primary mode of spread in the studied region.
Abstract:
Cryptosporidium spp are a cause of diarrhoea in toddlers. Symptoms and routes of transmission were investigated in a prospective case-control study in the city and surroundings of Basel, Switzerland. Twenty one (4.6%) out of 455 children with diarrhoea who attended paediatric and general practices from June to September 1988 were positive for cryptosporidium. The mothers of each case, of two controls with diarrhoea of another origin, and of two healthy controls were interviewed with a standardised questionnaire. In comparison with controls with diarrhoea of another origin, respiratory symptoms were significantly more frequent in children with cryptosporidiosis: eight of 19 (42%) compared with five of 38 (13%). In comparison with healthy controls, preceding contact with a person suffering from diarrhoea was associated with the greatest relative risk for cryptosporidiosis, followed by travel in a Mediterranean country. Transient cryptosporidial infection of the respiratory tract may be common in immunocompetent children. In the area investigated person to person transmission may account for most cases.