Study On Infection Status And Epidemic Factors Of Human Cryptosporidium In Anhui Province

Prevalence and epidemic factors of human Cryptosporidium infection in Anhui Province: a cross-sectional studyObjective The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and epidemic factors of human Cryptosporidium infection in Anhui Province, so as to provide scientific evidence for developing the control strategy.Methods Four pilots were randomly selected in eastern, western, southern and northern regions of Anhui Province, respectively, including four counties of Hexian, Funan, Qianshan and Ningbi. The subjects were collected using a random clustering sampling method. Approximately 20 μl of blood samples were collected from the finger tip or earlobe, and the sera were collected and stored at-20℃ for the subsequent experiments. In addition, subjects’ fecal samples were collected. The specific anti-Cryptosporidium Ig G antibody in the serum was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and Cryptosporidium oocysts in the feces were detected using a modified acid fast staining method. In counties of Funan and Hexian, only fecal samples were collected, and the prevalence of human Cryptosporidium infection was investigated by detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in fecal samples; while both fecal and blood samples were collected in Qianshan and Ningbi counties, and the prevalence of human Cryptosporidium infection was investigated by means of the modified acid fast staining method combined with ELISA.A questionnaire containing susceptible factors of Cryptosporidium infection was designed, and one-to-one questionnaire surveys were conducted. All data were input into Epi Data version 3.1, and all statistical analyses were performed using the statistical software SPSS version 16.0.Results Among the 1586 participants, 22 subjects were infected with Cryptosporidium, with an infection rate of 1.39%(22/1586). No regional variation was found in the prevalence of human Cryptosporidium infection(χ 2 =14.985, P < 0.05), while a significant difference was detected in age-specific prevalence(χ2=14.985, P < 0.05), with the highest prevalence(3.13%) seen in subjects at age of < 10 years. In addition, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection significantly differed between the subjects with and without diarrhea during the latest one month(χ2=35.486, P < 0.05). Single factor chi-square analysis revealed a relatively high prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in children and diarrhea patients, while multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a high prevalence in children at ages of 14 years or lower, subjects rearing poultry and livestock, individuals with poor personal hygiene habits, patients with diarrhea within the latest one month, and population without administration of anthemintics during the latest one year. The prevalence of Ig G antibody specific to Cryptosporidium was 22.69%(140/617) and Cryptosporidium oocysts were positive in 15 subjects(2.43%) in Qianshan and Ningbi counties, and there was a significant difference between the seroprevalence and prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection(χ2=1.153E2, P < 0.05).Conclusions The seroprevalence of human Cryptosporidium infection is high in Anhui Province, indicating a serious previous infection. Human Cryptosporidium infection is associated with age, diarrhea, rearing of poultry and livestock, personal health habits, and anthemintics treatment, and it is therefore worthy of attention in the future in the prevention and control of this disease.Prevalence and epidemic factors of Cryptosporidium infection in HIV-infected patients in Anhui Province: a cross-sectional studyObjective The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in HIV-infected patients in Anhui Province.Methods Venous blood samples were collected from 342 HIV-infected patients in Xuangcheng City, Anhui Province, and the sera were collected and stored at-20℃ for the subsequent experiments. In addition, each patient’s fecal samples were collected. The specific anti-Cryptosporidium Ig M and Ig G antibodies were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and the Cryptosporidium oocysts in the feces were detected using a modified acid fast staining method.A one-to-one questionnaire survey was performed to investigate the risk factors of HIV-Cryptosporidium co-infection. The questionnaire included subjects’ demographic characteristics, cause of HIV infection, time of first HIV infection, types of toilets, the status of animal rearing, health and eating habits, sources of drinking water, receiving antiretroviral therapy and administration of antiparasitic drugs. All data were double-input into Epi Data version 3.1 and checked, and all statistical analyses were performed using the statistical software SPSS version 16.0.Results Among the 342 HIV-infected subjects, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was 9.36%(32/342). Single-factor chi-square analysis revealed significant differences in the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection among patients with various age groups, different sources of drinking water, various CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte counts, and between the patients with and without antiretroviral therapy/administration of anthelmintics(all P values < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Cryptosporidium infection was associated with consumption of surface water and the CD4+T lymphocyte count < 350 cells/μl in HIV-infected patients.Conclusions A high prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection is detected in HIV-infected patients in Anhui Province, and HIV-Cryptosporidium co-infection is associated with age, source of drinking water, CD4+T lymphocyte count, and never deworming.