Effect Cryptosporidium parvum on Lactoferrin level in children with diarrhea

Cryptosporidium spp. are a group of coccidian parasites of significant pathogenicity to both animals and humans. Cryptosporidiosis is understood to be the underlying factor behind the development of severe and protracted watery diarrhea in individuals diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This study aimed to diagnosis of infection with the parasite Cryptosporidium parvum in children by microscopic examination of stool samples using the Modified Ziehl-Nelsoon stain and ELISA. As well as detection level of Lactoferrin in samples of patients infected with Cryptosporidium parvum . A total 300 samples children aged 5 months - 5 years, of both sexes, who visited some government hospitals (Tikrit Teaching Hospital, Salah al-Din General Hospital, Baiji General Hospital, Sharqat General Hospital) and some private medical clinics in some areas of Salah al-Din Governorate who suffered from diarrhea and some intestinal symptoms during the period from July 1, 2022 to September 1, 2023. Based on the analysis of 300 stool samples, the present investigation employing MZN revealed an infection rate of 70 (23.33%) positive samples and 230 (76.67%) negative samples. The ELISA technique used in the current study recorded 130 positive samples and a total infection rate of 72.22% with a mean concentration of 2.54±1.13 pg/mL), while the number of negative samples was 50 (27.78%) with a mean concentration of (27.78%) pg/mL out of 90 samples. This study showed increase incidence of infection with cryptosporidium in male than female that were 82(63.08%) and 48(36.92%) respectively, at p-value<0.05. The study observed a significant increase in the average concentration of fecal LF in infected infants (506.125 ± 99.143 pg/mL) compared to the control group (104.183 ± 21.368pg/ml). This study concluded that Modified Ziehl Neelsen stain is the best staining method used in diagnosing infection with the parasite. . Furthermore this study concluded increase level inflammatory immune parameters as lactoferrine in blood serum and stool samples of children infected with the C. parvum parasite