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Cryptosporidiosis in Poland: clinical, epidemiologic and parasitologic aspects
1Department of Parasitology, University of Warszawa, Poland.
Insights
Cryptosporidium parvum infections were found in 2.4% of hospitalized children with gastroenteritis. Wild rodents, particularly bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus), were identified as potential reservoirs for Cryptosporidium sp. in Poland.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Human Infectious Diseases
- Zoonotic Research
Background:
- Cryptosporidiosis is a significant cause of gastroenteritis in children.
- The role of wild mammals as reservoirs for Cryptosporidium species remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum in hospitalized children with gastroenteritis.
- To determine if wild small mammals in northern Poland serve as a zoonotic reservoir for Cryptosporidium species.
Main Methods:
- Stool samples from 692 children were analyzed for Cryptosporidium oocysts.
- Immunocompetence screening was performed on a subset of infected children.
- Mammal trapping and sample collection were conducted over two seasons.
- Histological examination of infected mammals was performed to identify parasite stages.
Main Results:
- Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 2.4% of the children, with higher rates in younger children and those from villages.
- Four of six infected children showed signs of IgA immunodepletion.
- Twenty percent of examined wild mammals (330 total) were infected with Cryptosporidium sp.
- Clethrionomys glareolus (bank vole) was identified as a host, with histological evidence of Cryptosporidium parvum infection.
Conclusions:
- Cryptosporidiosis occurs sporadically in the studied pediatric population, with potential links to immunodeficiency.
- Wild rodents, especially bank voles, are likely reservoirs for Cryptosporidium parvum, posing a zoonotic risk.
Abstract:
Stool samples from 692 children hospitalized with symptoms of gastroenteritis, were examined for Cryptosporidium parvum. The oocysts were found in 17 (2.4%) children. There was no association with age, sex or location of household. However, relatively higher rate of oocyst exclusion was found among 2-month- to 3-year-old groups (50%) and among children from villages (43%). Six children from the group of infected were additionally screened for general immunocompetence. Four of these exhibited signs of immunodepletion of IgA isotype in serum. This study has established that cryptosporidiosis occurred rather sporadically among children in the examined groups. Further study was undertaken to provide relevant information whether wild small mammals are a zoonotic reservoir of Cryptosporidium sp. Samples were collected from autumn 1989 until spring 1991 in northern Poland, District Mazury Lake. Twenty percent (66 of 330) of the examined mammals were naturally infected with Cryptosporidium sp.: 55 of 275 Clethrionomys glareolus, 6 of 39 Apodemus flavicollis, and 5 of 16 Sorex araneus were positive. The histological study clearly indicates that the population of C. glareolus was infected with C. parvum. Endogenous stages were found in duodenum near the pylorus. The intensity of infection in those animals was generally low, and relatively small numbers of trophozoites and oocysts were found. This report indicates that C. glareolus and possibly other rodents have the potential to act as reservoirs for C. parvum.