CRYPTOSPORIDIUM SPECIE AS A CAUSATIVE AGENT OF DIARRHOEA IN UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI TEACHING HOSPITAL,MAIDUGURI

800x600 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} ABSTRACT Background: Cryptosporidium specie is an enteric, coccidian parasite that is associated with diarrheal diseases in children and immunocompromised patients; and it is responsible for high mortality particularly in developing countries. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocyst in diarrheic patients seen at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Result: Two hundred and sixty-five (265) diarrheic faecal specimens were received and examined for Cryptosporidium oocyst using the Modified Zeihl-Neelsen staining technique. 60 (22.7%) faecal specimens were positive for the oocyst, frequency of occurrence of the oocyst were high among retroviral and malnourished patients; and featured prominently in the adult age groups compared to the children age group. Conclusion: Though the prevalence level of 22.7% is low, it however reveals the association of Cryptosporidium species with diarrhoea in this environment and the need for its awareness and inclusion in the routine laboratory request; particularly in diarrheic cases of the malnourished and immunocompromised patients. Keywords: Cryptosporidium spp, diarrhoea, Maiduguri.