Entamoeba Histolytica, Giardia Lamblia and Cryptosporidium spp. infection in children in an urban slum area of Bangladesh

Abstract

Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, and Cryptosporidium spp. are common diarrhea-causing parasitic protozoa. A total of 423 fecal samples from 185 children were tested for E. histolytica, G. lamblia and Cryptosporidium spp. Positivity of E. histolytica, G. lamblia and Cryptosporidium spp. were 17.5%, 50.6% and 9.2%, respectively by real-time PCR. E. histolytica and G. lamblia infection rate increases with age, while Cryptosporidium spp. infection rate decreases with age. Parasitic infection rate was lowest in the winter, gradually increased during the rainy season. Among 185 children, 25% of them showed multiple infections with 2 or 3 of these parasites. This study demonstrates the alarming parasitic infection in the children suffering from diarrhea in an urban slum area. Therefore, multiple intervention strategies should be implemented to reduce the disease burden.