DETECTION OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM AND GIARDIA-INTESTINALIS IN BEDOUIN CHILDREN FROM SOUTHERN ISRAEL

During an 18 month period, a total of 4796 stool specimens collected f rom 151 Bedouin children enrolled in a cohort study and followed from birth, were screened for Giardia intestinalis, Cryptosporidium spp. an d other intestinal parasites. Specimens were collected in phenol-alcoh ol-formalin (PAF) preservative and examined prior to, and after, forma lin-ether concentration (FEC). During 6 months of the second year Giar dia intestinalis was observed in 17.6% of the specimens and Cryptospor idium in 0.9% as compared with 1.8% (Giardia intestinalis) and 1.6% (C ryptosporidium) observed during the first year. Giardia intestinalis w as detected in 8.4% (407/4796) of all the samples examined and Cryptos poridium in 1.3% (63/4796). Other intestinal protozoan parasites and h elminthic ova demonstrated in the stool specimens included: Entamoeba coli (0.1%); Entamoeba histolytica (< 0.1%); Hymenolepis nana (0.1%); and Trichuris trichiura (< 0.1%). Mixed infection with 2 parasites was observed in 0.3% of the specimens. PAF fixation was found to be highl y effective in preserving the integrity and antigenicity of both Crypt osporidium-oocysts and Giardia intestinalis-cysts. The detection rate of Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium before FEC was not signifi cantly different from that obtained after FEC, showing differences of only 1% and 3% for Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium, respectiv ely.