ISSN:
1573-7284
Keywords:
Cryptosporidium
;
Child
;
Immunocompetent
;
Prospective Survey
;
General Hospital
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The importance of Cryptosporidium species as a cause of diarrhea in the childhood population has increased since the examination of fecal samples has been introduced in microbiological laboratories. A one-year prospective survey carried out on 699 children from rural and urban districts examined at the University Hospital in Salamanca (Spain) revealed 8 cases of cryptosporidiosis (1.1% of the children studied). Most of the cases (5 patients) were observed in the January-April period. Seven of the eight cases occurred in children younger than 3 years of age. All the children with cryptosporidiosis were immunocompetent. Diarrhea (75.0%) and vomiting (50.0%) were the most frequent clinical features of the cryptosporidiosis. In one quarter of the cases, other pathogens were associated. A comparison is made with the incidence of giardiasis, which is the commonest intestinal parasitosis in our community.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00145048
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