Objective: To investigate the relationship of Cryptosporidium and immunological parameters among children with malignant diseases. Methods: Stool samples were collected from 101 children with malignant disease and 107 apparently healthy children. Direct smear method and then formalin-ether sedimentation method were done for all stool samples to identify intestinal parasites. Fecal smears were prepared from the sediment and stained by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen method for the recovery of acid-fast oocysts of Cryptosporidium. Phagocytic activity, complement C3 and C4 estimation, immunoglobulin levels and CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 marking and phenotyping were carried out for 30 patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and 20 control group. Results: ALL was the major type (47.52%) of malignant cases in the studied subjects. The other type ranged from 0.99% to 10.9%. Out of the 101 patients, 50(49.5%) were found to be positive for intestinal parasites compared to 13(12.15%) of the control group (P<0.01). Cryptosporidium oocysts were found to be excreted by 10(9.0%) patients and 1(0.93%) of the control group (P<0.01). The phagocytic activity, levels of IgM, IgA, IgG and CD3, CD4 cell numbers were lower in patients than in control group while higher in case of C3, C4, CD8 and CD19. Conclusion: Children with malignancy are immunocompromised. Therefore, Cryptosporidium and other intestinal parasites must be considered in the differential diagnosis in this risky group in order to reduce the suffering often faced by those children.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.