Cryptosporidiosis among patients with diarrhoea attending Nyala Hospital

Cryptosporidiosis is a parasitic zoonotic non-bloody diarrhoeal disease that affects all people. Children and the immunosuppressed are more at risk than immunocompetent adults. It occurs in an epidemic as well as sporadic forms. Stool examination for Cryptosporidium oocysts has to be considered in non-bloody diarrhoea stools. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis among patients presenting with non-bloody diarrhoea to Nyala medical laboratory. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study including non-bloody diarrhoeal stool specimens of 72 patients. The stool specimens were examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts by using Safranine/ Methylene blue stain technique. Eleven [15.3%] out of 72 patients were positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Seven of them were below five years of age. Cryptosporidiosis is a common cause of non-bloody diarrhoea especially among children. This study enrolled a small number of patients. Nevertheless we recommend inclusion of Cryptosporidium in laboratory examination of non-bloody diarrhoeal stools in certain locations