Cryptosporidiosis: a cause of summer diarrhea in children
Montessori, G.A.; Bischoff, L.
Canadian Medical Association Journal 132(11): 1285
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-4409 PMID: 4039624 Document Number: 258527
Between October 1983 and October 1984, 0.63% (46) of stool samples from 7300 patients with diarrhoea contained cryptosporidial oocysts. Most of the 46 positive patients were living in urban or suburban areas of Greater Vancouver and Lower Frazer Valley, Canada. The incidence of cryptosporidiosis peaked in August and September when 52% of the cases were diagnosed. The mean age of the patients was 17 years but during August and September 60% were under 6 years of age. The patients had moderate to severe diarrhoea lasting 2 weeks. Only 6 had a history of contact with farm animals. In September, Cryptosporidium was found in the stools of 2.9% of the patients with diarrhoea. During a 12-month period faecal samples from 46 (0.63%) of 7300 British Columbian (Canada) patients (mean age 17 years) with diarrhoea contained Crytosporidium oocysts. A peak occurred during August-September (during September, 2.9% of those with diarrhoea were positive), when the mean age fell markedly (60% age <6 yr). Although moderate to severe diarrhoea lasted for up to 2 weeks, no patient required admission to hospital.G.C. Cook.