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Cryptosporidium infection in rural Gambian children: Epidemiology and risk factors

M Jahangir Hossain1, Debasish Saha1,2, Martin Antonio1

  • 1Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia.

Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases
|July 27, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Cryptosporidium diarrhea is common in young children in Gambia, particularly during the rainy season. Consumption of stored drinking water and contact with certain animals are associated risk factors for this infection.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Cryptosporidium is a significant cause of diarrheal illness in young children.
  • This study focuses on Cryptosporidium diarrhea within the Global Enteric Multicenter Study (GEMS) in rural Gambia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium-positive diarrhea in children under 5 years old.
  • To identify risk factors associated with Cryptosporidium infection in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited children with moderate-to-severe diarrhea (MSD) and less severe diarrhea (LSD) from sentinel health centers over a four-year period.
  • Matched cases with controls and tested stool samples for Cryptosporidium using immunoassay.
  • Analyzed data to evaluate epidemiological patterns and potential risk factors for Cryptosporidium-positive diarrhea.

Main Results:

  • 12.0% of diarrhea cases and 4.8% of controls tested positive for Cryptosporidium.
  • Most infections (85.7%) occurred in children aged 6-23 months, predominantly during the rainy season.
  • Risk factors included consumption of stored drinking water and contact with cows, cats, and rodents; larger households and fowl were protective.

Conclusions:

  • Cryptosporidium-positive diarrhea is prevalent in young children in Gambia, especially between 6-23 months.
  • Findings suggest water-borne transmission due to rainy season prevalence and association with stored water consumption.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the role of animals and water contamination in transmission.
Abstract

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