CRYPTOSPORIDIUM - A CAUSE OF GASTROENTERITIS IN PRESCHOOL-CHILDREN INJORDAN

In this case-control study, we investigated the role of Cryptosporidiu m in gastroenteritis in children < 6 years old. Six hundred fresh stoo l specimens were examined for various pathogenic parasites, bacteria, and rotaviruses. Wet-mount preparations, formaline-ether concentration s, and Sheather's floatation techniques were used to recover the paras ite oocysts. Permanent stained slides using acid-fast stain and trichr ome stains were prepared. Of 300 children with gastroenteritis symptom s, 20 (6.7%) had Cryptosporidium oocysts; seven of the 20 had concomit ant infections so they were excluded from the counts. This infection r ate is significantly different (Z = 2; p < 0.05) from that found in th e control group (1.7%) of children who reported no symptoms. The most frequent symptoms reported beside diarrhea were abdominal pain, cramps , anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Contaminated drinking water is suspected to be the source of infection; other possible factors ar e discussed.