Cryptosporidium infections in a suburban community in Maracaibo, Venezuela.
Am J Trop Med Hyg
; 49(1): 63-7, 1993 Jul.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-8352393
ABSTRACT
A point prevalence survey for Cryptosporidium was conducted in 212 subjects two months to 70 years of age in a suburban area with a low socioeconomic status in Maracaibo City, Venezuela. Single stool specimens were collected and modified Ziehl-Neelsen carbol-fuchsin staining of 10% formalin-preserved stool was used to identify Cryptosporidium oocysts. Direct wet mounts, iron-hematoxylin-stained smears and formalin-ether concentrates were examined to determine the presence of other intestinal parasites. Cryptosporidium infections were identified in 21 subjects (9.9%), with a high percentage of asymptomatic carriers (15 of 21, 71.4%). Six children (28.5%) had gastrointestinal symptoms and four of them were infants. Cryptosporidium was the single detectable potential pathogenic parasite in only five (23.8%) of 21 patients. The infection rate with one or more parasites was high (82%) and multiple infections, including pathogenic helminths and protozoa, were observed in the majority of patients who passed oocysts. Our findings suggest that although Cryptosporidium is an important pathogen, the proportion of asymptomatic carriers may be high in areas of low socioeconomic status in developing countries.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Portador Sano
/
Criptosporidiosis
/
Parasitosis Intestinales
Tipo de estudio:
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Aged
/
Animals
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
País/Región como asunto:
America do sul
/
Venezuela
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Trop Med Hyg
Año:
1993
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Venezuela