Cryptosporidiumin countries of the Arab world: the past decade (2002–2011)

Abstract

Introduction Cryptosporidium is the causative agent of cryptosporidiosis. The disease is self-limited in immunocompetent persons but potentially life-threatening in immunocompromised individuals.MethodsThe data included in the present review were obtained mainly from a Highwire Press (including PubMed) search for the period 2002–2011.ResultsInformation on cryptosporidiosis is lacking in some Arab countries; however available data show prevalence rates of <1–43% (mean = 8.7%) of Cryptosporidium infection in diarrheic immunocompetent pediatrics and <1–82% (mean 41%) in immunocompromised patients (including children and adults). Infection rate with Cryptosporidium species among pediatrics in rural and semiurban areas was higher than in urban areas. Cryptosporidium-associated diarrhea occurs mainly in younger children and inversely correlates with age, being more prevalent in children aged 1 year or less, particularly in rural and suburban regions. Although most Arab countries are characterized by a hot summer and a mild winter, infection with Cryptosporidium appears to occur at a higher rate of incidence during the rainy months that are usually associated with the cold season of the year. Contact with animals and contaminated waters are the main modes of transmission of cryptosporidia. Reports of C. hominis from the region indicate that person-to-person transmission is also important. Foreign housekeepers in oil-rich countries may be a source of Cryptosporidium.Conclusion Cryptosporidium species, mainly C. parvum, are important causes of diarrhea in countries of the Arab world, particularly in children. In addition to educational programs that promote personal, household, as well as food hygiene, improving water treatment processes and protection of treated waters from contamination should be implemented by the health and environmental authorities in each country. More studies employing molecular testing methods are needed in the future to provide data on circulating species/genospecies and subtypes and their modes of transmission in the community.

Molecular Analysis of the Enteric Protozoa Associated with Acute Diarrhea in Hospitalized Children

“…have been suggested to be associated with the widespread custom of employing foreign maids who usually have direct contact with children. A high prevalence (46.5%) of intestinal parasites among female Asian housekeepers in that study, suggests that members of families with foreign housekeepers may be at some risk of parasitic infections (Ghenghesh et al, 2012 ).…”

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Cryptosporidium Infection in Children Hospitalized for Diarrhea in Guangzhou, China

“…The trend of increased prevalence rate of cryptosporidiosis in children from urban to suburban and rural areas was also observed in Yemen [41]. A review of publications of cryptosporidiosis (between 2002 and 2011) in Arabic countries indicated Cryptosporidium species infection among pediatrics in rural and semiurban areas was higher than in urban areas [42]. Results of our study showed that the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in children hospitalized in suburb hospitals (7.8%) was significantly higher Table 4: Comparison of 18S rRNA gene sequence of Cryptosporidium from children hospitalized for diarrhea in Guangzhou to highly related sequences of Cryptosporidium in the GenBank (BLAST analysis conducted on January 23, 2017).…”

A retrospective epidemiological analysis of human Cryptosporidium infection in China during the past three decades (1987-2018)

“…Similar results have also been reported in previous studies from other countries. In countries of the Arab world, higher prevalences of Cryptosporidium were found in children living in rural and semi-urban areas than in those residing in urban areas during the decade from 2002 to 2011 [55]. In a retrospective analysis of human cryptosporidiosis cases conducted in New Zealand from 2004 to 2011, the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in rural areas (yearly average of 71.5 cases per 100,000; 95% confidence interval (CI) 64.6-78.3) was observed to be more than twice that of urban areas (yearly average of 29.2 cases per 100,000; 95% CI 26.9-31.5) [56].…”