title: Environmental risk factors for Cryptosporidium infection in an island from Western Venezuela.
abstract: Few investigations have been conducted on risk factors for Cryptosporidium infection in communities from developing countries. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors for cryptosporidiosis in San Carlos island, Venezuela. A sample of 515 subjects (mean age +/- SD: 21.4 +/- 17.8 years) was surveyed. Single fecal specimens were collected and modified Ziehl-Neelsen carbolfuchsin staining of formalin-ether concentrate stools were examined for identification of the parasite. Infections with Cryptosporidium (67 of 515, 13%) were common. Prevalence of the parasite varied among sectors of the community; 34 of 67(50.7%) cases of cryptosporidiosis clustered in two sectors with extreme poverty. Variables strongly associated with a higher risk for the infection (p < 0.01) were residing in these sectors versus the remainder, living in a hut or small residence versus a brick or larger house, using an area of backyard rather than a toilet or latrine for defecation, and having contact with soil contaminated with human feces. Crowding was also a risk (p < 0.05). Contact with human feces contaminated-soil may be an important mode of transmission and poverty a predisposing factor for the infection.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela. leonorbonilla42@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Leonor
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chacín-Bonilla
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barrios
authors.forename: Yulaicy
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sanchez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012499:Sanitation; D014687:Venezuela / Q000453:epidemiology