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      Environmental risk factors for Cryptosporidium infection in an island from Western Venezuela

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          Abstract

          Few investigations have been conducted on risk factors for Cryptosporidium infection in communities from developing countries. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors for cryptosporidiosis in San Carlos island, Venezuela. A sample of 515 subjects (mean age ± SD: 21.4 ± 17.8 years) was surveyed. Single fecal specimens were collected and modified Ziehl-Neelsen carbolfuchsin staining of formalin-ether concentrate stools were examined for identification of the parasite. Infections with Cryptosporidium (67 of 515, 13%) were common. Prevalence of the parasite varied among sectors of the community; 34 of 67(50.7%) cases of cryptosporidiosis clustered in two sectors with extreme poverty. Variables strongly associated with a higher risk for the infection (p < 0.01) were residing in these sectors versus the remainder, living in a hut or small residence versus a brick or larger house, using an area of backyard rather than a toilet or latrine for defecation, and having contact with soil contaminated with human feces. Crowding was also a risk (p < 0.05). Contact with human feces contaminated-soil may be an important mode of transmission and poverty a predisposing factor for the infection.

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          An ether sedimentation technique for routine stool examinations.

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            Cryptosporidium: a water-borne zoonotic parasite.

            Of 155 species of mammals reported to be infected with Cryptosporidium parvum or C. parvum-like organisms most animals are found in the Orders Artiodactyla, Primates, and Rodentia. Because Cryptosporidium from most of these animals have been identified by oocyst morphology alone with little or no host specificity and/or molecular data to support identification it is not known how many of the reported isolates are actually C. parvum or other species. Cryptosporidiosis is a cause of morbidity and mortality in animals and humans, resulting primarily in diarrhea, and resulting in the most severe infections in immune-compromised individuals. Of 15 named species of Cryptosporidium infectious for nonhuman vertebrate hosts C. baileyi, C. canis, C. felis, C. hominis, C. meleagridis, C. muris, and C. parvum have been reported to also infect humans. Humans are the primary hosts for C. hominis, and except for C. parvum, which is widespread amongst nonhuman hosts and is the most frequently reported zoonotic species, the remaining species have been reported primarily in immunocompromised humans. The oocyst stage can remain infective under cool, moist conditions for many months, especially where water temperatures in rivers, lakes, and ponds remain low but above freezing. Surveys of surface water, groundwater, estuaries, and seawater have dispelled the assumption that Cryptosporidium oocysts are present infrequently and in geographically isolated locations. Numerous reports of outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis related to drinking water in North America, the UK, and Japan, where detection methods are in place, indicate that water is a major vehicle for transmission of cryptosporidiosis.
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              The zoonotic transmission of Giardia and Cryptosporidium.

              The molecular characterisation of Giardia and Cryptosporidium has given rise to a more epidemiological meaningful and robust taxonomy. Importantly, molecular tools are now available for 'typing' isolates of the parasites directly from clinical and environmental samples. As a consequence, information on zoonotic potential has been obtained although the frequency of zoonotic transmission is still poorly understood. Analysis of outbreaks and case-control studies, especially when coupled with genotyping data, is slowly providing information on the public health significance of zoonotic transmission. Such studies support the hypothesis that Cryptosporidium hominis is spread only between humans but that the major reservoir for Cryptosporidium parvum is domestic livestock, predominantly cattle, and that direct contact with infected cattle is a major transmission pathway along with indirect transmission through drinking water. The situation is less clearcut for Giardia duodenalis but the evidence does not, in general, support zoonotic transmission as a major risk for human infections. However, for both parasites there is a need for molecular epidemiological studies to be undertaken in well-defined foci of transmission in order to fully determine the frequency and importance of zoonotic transmission.
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                Author and article information

                Journal
                mioc
                Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
                Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
                Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde (Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil )
                0074-0276
                1678-8060
                February 2008
                : 103
                : 1
                : 45-49
                Affiliations
                [01] Maracaibo orgnameUniversidad del Zulia orgdiv1Facultad de Medicina orgdiv2Instituto de Investigaciones Clínicas Venezuela
                [02] Maracaibo orgnameUniversidad del Zulia orgdiv1Facultad de Odontología orgdiv2Departamento de Microbiología Venezuela
                Article
                S0074-02762008000100007 S0074-0276(08)10300107
                10.1590/S0074-02762008005000007
                18345459
                2f1d07e7-8bb7-4fff-bae8-cd9914d4c5c7

                This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

                History
                : 25 January 2008
                : 26 June 2007
                Page count
                Figures: 0, Tables: 0, Equations: 0, References: 33, Pages: 5
                Product

                SciELO Brazil

                Categories
                Articles

                cryptosporidiosis,Venezuela,transmission-risk factors,epidemiology,Cryptosporidium

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