Prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum infection in children along the Texas-Mexico border and associated risk factors.

Abstract

Abstract. We examined the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium parvum in children aged 6 months to 13 years living in 1) colonias along the border (n ϭ 105), 2) a clinic in an urban border community (n ϭ 65), and 3) clinics in a large urban nonborder area (n ϭ 109). Serum IgG and IgA anticryptosporidial antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Overall, 70.2% (196/279) of subjects had detectable C. parvum antibodies. Prevalence rates were higher (93/105 [89%]) in the colonias and urban border community (53/65 [82%]) compared to the urban nonborder community (50/109 [46%]). Within colonias, independent risk factors for C. parvum infection included consumption of municipal water instead of bottled water, older age, and lower household income. Children living along the Texas-Mexico border have a higher rate of infection with C. parvum compared to children living in a large nonborder urban area. Within colonias, C. parvum infection was associated with source of water supply, age, and socioeconomic status.

Risk Factors for Cryptosporidiosis Among Children in a Semi Urban Slum in Southern India: A Nested Case-Control Study

“…Unlike some earlier studies where low socio-economic status has been reported as either a risk 21 or a protective factor, 25 no association between socio-economic status and the risk of cryptosporidiosis was noticed in this study. This apparent lack of association could be caused by the relative homogeneity of the study population in terms of their socio-economic status.…”

“…48 An interesting, but unexpected observation in this study was the inverse association between maternal age and the risk of cryptosporidiosis, both asymptomatic and symptomatic. Although previous studies on cryptosporidiosis have not found any association between maternal age and infection, 21,28 the protective effect of increasing maternal age on diarrhea in general, 49 and on persistent diarrhea in particular, 50 has previously been documented. A possible reason for this observed protection could be a result of differences in child-rearing practices between the younger and older mothers.…”

Hyperendemic Cryptosporidium and Giardia in households lacking municipal sewer and water on the United States-Mexico border.

“…3 On the United States-Mexico border, a C. parvum prevalence study (n ‫ס‬ 105) reported that children less than 13 years old had a prevalence rate of 70.2%. 4 Both C. parvum and G. lamblia transmission is fecal-oral and occurs in developed countries usually by contaminated drinking or recreational water. In developing countries where poor sanitation exists, transmission may also be by person-to-person and from fecally contaminated food.…”

A serological survey on cryptosporidiosis in Najran region, Southwestern Saudi Arabia with reference to some epidemiological features of the infection

“…in individuals residing in both developed and developing countries. 20,21 Similarly, antibodies against C. parvum had previously been identified in 20% and 16% of study populations in Peru and Venezuela, respectively 22 , and in 17-70% of the US population. 20,21 In southern Europe, 62-83% of studied populations were detected to have the IgG antibody to Cryptosporidium antigens.…”

“…20,21 Similarly, antibodies against C. parvum had previously been identified in 20% and 16% of study populations in Peru and Venezuela, respectively 22 , and in 17-70% of the US population. 20,21 In southern Europe, 62-83% of studied populations were detected to have the IgG antibody to Cryptosporidium antigens. 23 The present figures also revealed a significant positive correlation between the prevalence of infection among different age groups with peak values among children under 6 years age group.…”