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Page No. : 17-20

ABSTRACT

One hundred and twenty five stool samples (60 from hospital laboratories and 65 from slum areas) were collected from pediatric children suffering from diarrhoea. The Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 25% (15/60) and 44.61% (29/65) diarrhoeic samples collected from hospital laboratories and slum areas, respectively, using modified Ziehl-Neelson (mZN) acid fast staining techniques. Giardia cysts and trophozoites were detected in 10.4% (13/125) and 4.8% (6/125) samples, respectively, using Wheatley trichrome staining technique. Giardia infection was detected in 11.66% (7/60) and 18.46% (12/65) of diarrheic samples collected from hospital laboratories and slum areas, respectively. Mixed infections with the parasites were also detected. No significant correlation was found between the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. intestinalis in stool samples. Cryptosporidium was most prevalent (40.90%) in the <2 year age group, while Giardia was most prevalent in the 4 to 6 year age group (31.25%). The high prevalence of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in slum areas might be due to poor hygienic practices and inadequate source of water. Our findings highlighted the need for interventions addressing hygiene, water supply, sanitation and awareness among the persons in the slum areas.

Key words: Cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, pediatric diarrheic children, Punjab, slums