Evaluation of interleukin-4 and some serological factors in children infected with cryptosporidiosis at Ramadi Teaching Hospital for women and children

Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic disease caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Cryptosporidium. It is widespread worldwide and is among the four main diarrhoea pathogens in children and adults. The present study aimed to investigate infection with the cryptosporidiosis in children under the age of eight years in both sexes who suffered from diarrhoea, and to evaluate the relationship of Interlukin-4 to parasitic infection and the changes in some serological parameters that included lipid profile and total protein. Two hundred fecal samples were collected from Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Women and Children. Microscopic examination of the samples stained with Ziehl–Neelsen stain and ELISA test indicated the presence of egg cysts in 23 samples, with a total percentage of (11.5%). The shape of the parasite was spherical, tending to oval, with a size of (4.8 to 5.7 micrometres). The lipid profile results showed that there was a significant increase in cholesterol (Ch.), triglycerides (TG.), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (vLDL), and for high-density lipoproteins (HDL) of the patient's group, there was no significant difference between the control group and the infected group at the (P ≤0.05). There was a significant increase in the level of blood proteins (Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin) for the infected group at a significant level (P≤0.05). The study also showed significant differences in interleukin-4 between patients and healthy people, which was 0.0444 ± 0.01141 pg/ml for patients (P≤0.05). Due to the increasing spread, seriousness, and epidemiology of the parasite, considered environmental pollution, and because of its lack of diagnosis in health departments (such as hospitals), and because its entry significantly stimulates the immune system, causes dehydration and death in children with weak immunity, and affects the absorption of fats, proteins, and vitamins significantly, a new factor IL-4 related to the infection was identified. It was also known how significant the effect of injury is on the amount of fats and proteins that are involved in the structure of living cell membranes.