Molecular Identification of Cryptosporidiosis and Helicobacter pylori Infection and Delayed Growth in Children

Abstract

Background: Children are more susceptible to a wide range of infections. Objectives: The focus of this research was to investigate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), Cryptosporidium spp., and co-infection, as well as the magnitude of these infections and anthropometric indicators in diarrheic Egyptian children. Methods: A total of 152 diarrheic children, ranging in age from a few months to 12 years were considered as the study samples. All feces samples were examined under a microscope for parasites and molecularly for H. pylori and Cryptosporidium spp. A restriction enzyme was used to digest Cryptosporidium polymerase chain reaction products to determine the genotype. Results: Stool examinations revealed that 42 (27.6%) participants were infected with one or more parasites. Cryptosporidium 18 (11.8%), E. histolytica complex 12 (7.9%), and Giardia 9 (5.9%) were the most common parasites. The most frequent Cryptosporidium species was Cryptosporidium hominis (83%), whereas H. pylori was found in 45 (29.6%) patients. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium and H. pylori was unaffected by gender, age, socioeconomic status, or nutrition (P < 0.05). Only head circumference (P > 0.05) was observed to be linked with infection. Conclusion: The incidence of Cryptosporidium and H. pylori in diarrheic children may be of public health concern and negatively affects anthropometric indicators.