Molecular and Microscopical Diagnosis of Cryptosporidial Infection among Immuno Compromised and Immuno Competent Patients

Author(s):

Hanan Farouk, Azza Hassan, Faika Hassanein, Inas M Masoud, Amany I Shehata, Marwa M Fekry

Objective: To study the prevalence of cryptosporidial infection among immuno compromised and immunocompetent patients by using microscopic and molecular examination. Methods: A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in the fevers hospital, Alexandria, Egypt. 300 individuals including 150 patients with immuno compromising conditions (90 with HIV/AIDS and 60 with renal failure and undergoing hemodialysis) and 150 immuno competent patients (meningitis, acute hepatitis, skin cellulitis and erysipelas) were enrolled in the present work. Stool samples were collected and subjected to modified Ziehl-Neelsen and nested PCR to detect cryptosporidiosis. EDTA blood samples of immuno compromised patients were collected for CD4+ T-cell counting.