cryptosporidium infection in human diarrhoea patients in west azerbaijan, iran

the stool samples from 363 diarrhoeic and non- diarrhoeic children and adults from several locations in two towns of west azerbaijan area of iran examined for cryptosporidium infection by modified ziehl- neelsen technique revealed the presence of infection in 7.66% of diarrhoeic patients and in none of the non- diarrhoeic individuals. the percentage of detection was higher among females ( 11.21%) than males (4.96%). 10.12 percent of children below five years of age and4.65% of those between five and 15 years of age were positive, whereas only 2.12% of the adults were positive. the study has brought to light the existence of human cryptosporidium infection in iran perhaps for the first time.