Abstract:
In this study, the prevalence of Cyclospora cayetanensis and Cryptosporidium spp. were researched in children with parasitological investigations requested for a variety of reasons, regardless of immune status. The stool samples of 1057 pediatric patients with parasitological evaluation requested for a variety of reasons within two years were investigated under a microscopy using native-lugol, sedimentation and modified Kinyoun’s acid-fast stain methods. The mean age of the 1057 pediatric patients participating in the research were 8.07±4.32 years, 11.4% were identified to have coccidian parasites (Cyclospora cayetanensis and Cryptosporidium spp.). Evaluation according to age group found the majority of children positive for Cryptosporidium spp. were in the 6-12 year interval. These parasites were observed more frequently in the spring and summer seasons compared to other seasons. There was a significant correlation between parasite positivity and spring and summer seasons (p<0.001). Cryptosporidium spp. was identified to be a significant risk factor in terms of growth retardation (p<0.05). The incidence of Cyclospora cayetanensis and Cryptosporidium spp. is high in children. It was concluded that Cryptosporidium spp. positivity was a significant risk factor for growth retardation.
