Journal of Medical Sciences1682-44741812-5727Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/jms.2007.1325.1329Inyang-EtohP.C. EtimN.G. UsehM.F. UdiongC.E.J. EssienA.W. 8200778The involvement of Cryptosporidium in infantile diarrhoea was investigated among 200 children with diarrhoea who attended the Children Emergency Ward of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) and Out-Patients Department of the General Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria. Another subset of 100 apparently healthy non-diarrhoeic children of comparable age range were used as controls. Stool samples collected from the test and control groups were examined for the presence of intestinal parasites including oocyst of Cryptosporidium using standard parasitological procedures. Cryptosporidium oocyst was found in 52 (26%) of the diarrhoeic stool samples and 8 (8%) of the non diarrhoeic control samples respectively (p<0.05). Cryptosporidium occurred as a single infection in only 32 (16%) of the 200 diarrhoeic subjects examined. The highest prevalence of cryptosporidiosis occurred among subjects aged 2/12-1 year. Infection was not detected in those aged ≥8 years. Other intestinal parasites detected were Ascaris lumbricoides (19%), Trichuris trichiura (2%), Hookworm (1%) and Entamoeba histolytica (1%). This study has demonstrated the involvement of Cryptosporidium as one of the aetiologic agents of infantile diarrhoea in Calabar, Nigeria. The study has made a case for the routine screening of stool samples of children with diarrhoea for the presence of Cryptosporidium before administrating prompt and appropriate therapy.]]>Abdel-Messih, I.A., T.F. Wierzba, R. Abu-Elyazzed, A.F. Ibrahim and S.F. Ahmed et al.,2005Cryptosporidium parvum among young children of the Nile River Delta in Egypt.]]>1010931105Alpert, G., L.M. Bell and C.E. Kirkpatrick,1984311860861Alaribe, A.A.A., S.J. Utsalo and E.N.U. Ezedinachi,19984423425Campos, M., E. Jouzdani, C. Sempoux, J.P. Buts, R. Reding, J.B. Otte and E.M. Sokal,2000159113115Chan, A.W., I.A. MacFarlane and J.M. Rhodes,198919293293Checkley, W., L.D. Epstein, R.H. Gilman, R.E. Black, L. Cabrera and C.R. Sterling,1998Cryptosporidium parvum infection in Peruvian children: Growth faltering and subsequent catch-up growth.]]>148497506Current, W.L.,1989Cryptosporidiosis. In: New Strategies in Parasitology.]]>1989Fayer, R. and B.L.P. Ungar,1986Cryptosporidium spp. and cryptosporidiosis.]]>50458483Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria,20042004Gerber, D.A., M. Green, R. Jaffe, D. Greenberg, G. Mazariegos and J. Reyes,200045555Guerrant, D.I., S.R. Moore, A.A. Lima, P.D. Patrick, J.B. Schorling and R.L. Guerrant,199961707713Gatei, W., J. Greensill and R.W. Ashford et al.,2003Cryptosporidium parasites from patients with or without human immunodeficiency virus infections living in Kenya, Malawi, Brazil. The United Kingdom and Vietnam.]]>4114581462Ikeh, E.I., M.O. Obadofin, B. Brindeiro, G. Baugher and F. Frost et al.,20062112Juranek, D.D.,199521S57S61Khan, P.A.,20002000Koch, K.L., D.J. Phillips, R.C. Aber, W.L. Current,1985102593596Loureiro, E.C.B., A.C. Linhares and L. Mata,198984117122Macfarlane, D.E. and J. Horner-Bryce,198776474477Molbak, K., M. Andersen P. Aaby, N. Hojlyng, M. Jakobsen and A.P. da Silva,1997Cryptosporidium infection in infancy as a cause of malnutrition: A community study from Guinea-Bissau, West Africa.]]>65149152Nchito, M., P. Kelly, S. Sianongo, N.P. Luo, R. Feldman, M. Farthing and K.S. Baboo,199859435437Nwabuisi, C.,1998353941O'Donoghne, P.J.,1995Cryptosporidium and cryptosporidiosis in man and animal.]]>25139195Sherries, J.C.,19892nd Edn.,pp: 577-596pp: 577-596Tanyuksel, M., H. Gun and L. Dogancoi,1995Cryptosporidium spp. in patients with neoplasia and diarrhoea. Scand.]]>276970UNAIDS.,20042004Useh, M.F. and B.U. Jonah,199812024WHO,1991pp: 9-25pp: 9-25