[Cryptosporidiosis in children with acute diarrhea from Ciego de Avila province, Cuba]

Abstract

An epidemiological and clinical study of criptosporidiosis in children from Ciego de Avila province was carried out from 1987 to 1994. During this period 14,895 children with acute diarrhea were studied. Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts were found in the feces of 1,256 (8.4%) of them. Isolated cases prevailed over outbreaks, being the incidence rate proportional in both urban and rural areas. Seventy nine point seven per cent of infected children were less one year old, predominating the age group 6-11 months old. No influence of seasons on the occurrence of the parasitose was observed. The most frequently detected symptoms and signs were diarrhea, vomits and loss of weight. The main epidemiological factors were: 81.0% of ill children drank water directly from the aqueduct, 12.8% lived in overcrowded conditions, 11.0% had animals and 10.7% attended nursery schools.