Infantile cryptosporidiosis in Sousse area, Tunisia

The aim of this study was to evaluate infantile cryptosporidiosis prevalence in central Tunisia. Stool samples from 34,020 immunocompetent children were investigated for oocysts through a 12-year study. Cryptotosporidia were detected in 0.32% (108) of samples. Ninety three per cent of children were less than five years old. Incidence was much higher in summer and autumn. Leading clinical symptoms were diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Symptoms spontaneously resolved in all patients. In three cases, infection was asymptomatic. Data analysis indicate that cryptosporidiosis is not uncommon in diarrheic central Tunisian children.