Abstract

BAYONA R, Martín; AVENDANO V, Catalina  and  AMAYA M, Álvaro. EPIDEMIOLOGIG CHARACTERIZATION OF CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS IN INFANT POPULATION AT THE SABANA CENTRO (CUNDINAMARCA). rev.udcaactual.divulg.cient. [online]. 2011, vol.14, n.1, pp.7-13. ISSN 0123-4226.

Criptosporidium parvum is an intracellular protozoan that infects the gastrointestinal epithelium, causing self-limiting diarrhea in immunocompetent and potentially serious affections in immunocompromised patients. The organism is transmitted from person to person, by contact with infected animals, by drinking water in swimming pools or by contaminated food. The present research was aimed to contribute to the knowledge of cryptosporidiosis in a preschool population through an epidemiological study in the Sabana Center area (Cundinamarca, Colombia). 260 stool samples were obtained from children under five years between July 2009 and April 2010, from hospitals and kindergartens in the seven municipalities evaluated. Microscopic analysis of the samples, consisting in the modified Ziehl Neelsen staining and later confirmation by immunochromatography was performed. To analyze the association between variables the X₂ and the Fisher test was used to find the p-value. To reject the null hypothesis as reference p<0.05 was taken. A prevalence of 7% of Cryptosporidium spp. was detected. With the children of this study no relationship with any type of diarrhea was found, placing this parasite infection as frequent and asymptomatic. It was determined that Cryptosporidium spp. can affect children under five years at any time.

Keywords : Infant population; criptosporidiosis; feces; Ziehl Neelsen; intestinal parasitosis.

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