Cryptosporidium and other Intestinal Protozoans in Children with Diarrhoea in Lagos, Nigeria

As reports of protozoan intestinal parasites in a mega city such as Lagos, Nigeria are scanty and not updated, this study reports the prevalence of intestinal parasites, especially Cryptosporidium species in One hundred and five (105) children less than five years that presented with gastroenteritis in a major tertiary hospital. Standard parasitologic techniques for stool examination and special stains showed cysts and oocysts of protozoan parasites. The overall prevalence rate of intestinal parasites was 27.6%. E.histolytica/dispar and Cryptosporidium oocyst were the most prevalent (9.5% and 17.1% respectively). The age with the highest infectivity was the 4 -5 year-old children from whom the following parasites were detected: Cryptosporidium oocysts (27.6%), Giardia lamblia (4.8%) and E. histolytica/dispar (9.5%). The infectivity of protozoan intestinal parasite was significantly higher in the 4 -5 age-groups (P< 0.001). The findings of this study (especially the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts) underscores the need to broaden the laboratory work-up in children that presents with gastroenteritis to include special staining technique so as to properly manage the condition. No intestinal helminth was detected among these children.