Investigation of Cryptosporidium in relation to other intestinal parasites at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital,...

Cryptosporidium spp is a coccidian protozoan which has recently been reported as a possible important aetiological agent of diarrhoea, especially in immunocompromised hosts such as patients with acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS). In the present report, 890 stool specimens of patients including diarrhoea cases submitted for parasitologic laboratory investigation at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital from January to December 1986 were specifically screened for Cryptosporidium oocysts. There was no confirmed case of crystosporidioisis in-the 12-month study period. The reported efficient techniques for laboratory detections of Cryptosporidium were described and the literature on Cryptosporidiosis reviewed. It is hoped that the present report would create greater awareness amongst laboratory workers and clinicians in various communities and geographic locations to enable them to carry out more studies in human diseases in West Africa.