Publication: Cryptosporidium infection among the school children of Kathmandu Valley
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Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Institute of Medicine
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Cryptosporidium, a coccidian protozoan genus has emerged as an important cause of parasitic diarrhea among children living in developing countries. The present study aimed to determine the infection of Cryptosporidium and other intestinal parasites among the school children of Kathmandu Valley.
Methods: Ethical approval for this research was obtained from Institutional review board, Institute of Medicine. A total of five hundred and seven stool samples from children between the age group 3-14 years, studying in 13 different schools of Kathmandu were collected during the study period (May- November, 2014) and processed in the Public Health Research Laboratory, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal. A modified Acid Fast staining technique (Kinyoun’s method) was used to detect oocysts of Cryptosporidium from the formal-ether concentrated stool samples.
Result: The overall, prevalence of intestinal parasites among children was found to be 22.68% (115/507) with Giardia lamblia being the most predominant parasite showing the incidence of 10.45% (53/507). Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 0.79% (4/507) of the students investigated with the highest occurrence during the month of July i.e., 2 followed by single positive case for each, June and September.
Conclusion: The detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts and observance of diarrheal symptoms, together with the pattern of age-specific occurrence, livestock presence at home, consumption of untreated drinking water and raw vegetables/fruits consumption habit among infected children suggest that in low-income Kathmandu communities, cryptosporidiosis coupled with poor sanitary practice is a public-health issue causing potentially serious consequences.
Keywords: Cryptosporidium, School Children, prevalence, Kathmandu
Description
D Bhandari
Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine, Public Health Research Laboratory. 2 Tribhuvan University Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Department of Microbiology
S Tandukar
Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine, Public Health Research Laboratory
S Sherchand
Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine, Public Health Research Laboratory
P Thapa
Tribhuvan University Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Department of Microbiology
PK Shah
Tribhuvan University Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Department of Microbiology
Keywords
Cryptosporidium, School Children, prevalence, Kathmandu