PREVALENCE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM SP IN PATIENTS WITH NEOPLASIA AND DIARRHEA

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. was investigated in fecal specim ens from 106 patients with neoplasia and diarrhea (74 females, 32 male s) by using Ziehl-Neelsen and Giemsa stains. Oocystic forms of Cryptos poridiun sp. were found in 18 (17%) of these patients. No oocystic for m of Cryptosporidium sp. was detected in the control group of 60 patie nts with neoplasia (37 females, 23 males) but without diarrhea. The fr equent findings of Cryptosporidium sp. in patients with neoplasia and diarrhea who are undergoing chemotherapy indicates that a search for t his organism is justified.