Prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts among children with acute gastroenteritis in Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

This research was conducted to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts among children with acute gastroenteritis in Zaria, Nigeria by Kinyoun Modified Carbol-Fuchsin Staining (Modified Ziehl-Neelsen Staining) Technique. The results for the screening of Cryptosporidium oocysts showed that out of 372 stool samples investigated, 17 samples were positive for the oocysts. Among 17 positive samples, 8 were among 199 male while 9 were among 173 female children studied. The statistical association between microscopic detection of oocyst and gender was not significant (χ² = 0.297, df = 1, p=0.586). However, there was no statistically significant association between the prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocyst and the age of children observed (χ² = 7.268, df = 9, p = 0.609). The results also showed no significant association between the prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and the house hold animals (χ² = 1.489, df = 4, p=0.829). There was also no statistically significant association between the prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and the source of drinking water (χ² = 6.367, df = 4, p=0.173). Similarly, there was not statistically significant association between the prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and the type of toilet among the study population (χ² = 1.128, df = 2, p=0.569).

Keywords: Children, Cryptosporidium, Gastroenteritis, Oocysts, Prevalence, Zaria