[Digestive cryptosporidiosis in young children in an urban area in Gabon].
A 27 month epidemiological survey of cryptosporidiosis in stools was conducted in 288 Gabonese children aged between 0 and 2 years (mean 10.2 months). By at least one of two staining techniques, acid-fast and direct immunofluorescence, the rate of infection was determined to be 24%. The rate was 28% in cases of acute diarrhea, in striking contrast with the low prevalence of 14.8% in uninjured gastroenteritus subjects (p < 0.05). The notion of asymptomatic carriers was clearly demonstrated. The maximum of 34.4% was observed for infants aged between 6 and 12 months (p < 0.02). In cases of malnutrition, this rate increased to 31.8%, whereas it was 16.8% in eutrophic children (p < 0.01). For the rainy and dry seasons, it was 31.7% and 19.4%, respectively (p < 0.02). Water is emerging as an important vehicle for the transmission and spread of Cryptosporidium sp. in tropical areas.
Duong
T H
TH
Faculté de Médecine, Libreville, Gabon.
Dufillot
D
D
Koko
J
J
Nze-Eyo'o
R
R
Thuilliez
V
V
Richard-Lenoble
D
D
Kombila
M
M
D000818:Animals; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005681:Gabon / Q000453:epidemiology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*