Outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in a day-care center.
An outbreak of diarrhea due to infection with Cryptosporidium occurred in a day-care center. During a period of 2 months, 23 of 53 (43%) children attending the day-care center and 15 of 104 (14%) household contacts had diarrhea. Cryptosporidium oocysts were identified in 13 of 20 (65%) symptomatic children tested compared with three of 27 (11%) asymptomatic children (chi 2 = 12.56, P less than .001). Enteropathogenic bacteria, enteroviruses, rotavirus, and other protozoan parasites were ruled out as the cause of the diarrhea. A history of diarrhea in household contacts was associated with excretion of Cryptosporidium oocysts by the children. Human-to-human transmission of the infection was suggested by the epidemiology.
D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010414:Pennsylvania