The Medical Journal of Basrah University

Abstract

Background: Children with malignancies (during chemotherapy) are the most common infected by Cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis as compared with other groups (before chemotherapy).
Objectives: We explore association between cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in children with malignancies in Basrah city among children admitted to Pediatric Oncology center in Specialist Basrah Children's Hospital.
Method: Used three method in study (Direct wet mount, Acid fast stain, IC test) in two groups before and during chemotherapy in children admitted to Pediatric Oncology center in Specialist Basrah Children's Hospital during May to November 2015, their age ranged from two month to 14 year.
Results: One hundred and six stool samples were assayed from malignant children found Cryptosporidium (13) positive samples before chemotherapy and (33) positive samples during chemotherapy and found Giardia (20) positive sample before chemotherapy and (9) positive sample during chemotherapy.
Conclusion: This study reported that age group between 1-4 years was the most susceptible for the infection among the age groups studied. Both genders were susceptible to infection with Cryptosporidium and giardia, a higher rate of infection was reported in male as compared with female results. Technical medical staff must be trained to diagnose Cryptosporidium and giardia in hospitals and primary health care Centers.