Korean J Parasitol.  2018 Apr;56(2):113-119. 10.3347/kjp.2018.56.2.113.

Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in Diarrheic Immunocompetent Patients in Beni-Suef, Egypt: Insight into Epidemiology and Diagnosis

• Abdel Gawad SS
• Ismail MA
• Imam NF
• Eassa AH
• abu-Sarea

• KMID: 2412729
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2018.56.2.113

Abstract

Cryptosporidium species is an important cause of gastrointestinal infections globally. This study aimed to shed light on its role in diarrheic immunocompetent patients in Beni-Suef, Egypt and to compare three diagnostic methods. Two hundred diarrheic patients, 37±16.8 year old, were enrolled. Stool samples were examined by light microscopy, using modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain (MZN) for Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. Coproantigens were detected by sandwich ELISA. DNA molecular diagnosis was done by nested PCR. PCR yielded the highest detection rates (21.0%), compared to ELISA (12.5%) and MZN staining method (9.5%). The higher infection rates were in 20-40 year-old group, followed by 40-60 year-old. Association between epidemiologic factors was statistically not significant; positivity and gender, clinical manifestations, residence, source or water, or contact with animals. Cryptosporidiosis is an important enteric parasitic infection in Beni-Suef and PCR remains the gold standard for diagnosis.

Keyword

Cryptosporidium; Beni-Suef; PCR; ELISA; modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain

MeSH Terms

Animals
Cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidium*
Diagnosis*
DNA
Egypt*
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Epidemiologic Factors
Epidemiology*
Humans
Methods
Microscopy
Oocysts
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Water
DNA
Water