[The survey of Cryptosporidium infection among young children in kindergartens in Anhui Province].

OBJECTIVE: To study the cryptosporidiosis infection among young children in 29 kindergartens in the province, and to explore the best way to diagnose the infection. METHODS: Stool specimens of 1204 children were collected, oocysts of Cryptosporidium were identified with auramine O-modified staining, acid-fast staining, safranine T and methylene blue staining, and auramine O-modified acid-fast staining. RESULTS: The detection rate of Cryptosporidium in four stainings were 2.46%, 1.50%, 1.98% and 3.46% respectively, and the rate was significantly higher by auramine O-modified acid-fast staining than other stainings (P < 0.01). The infection rate was significantly lower in urban children (2.14%, 15/684) than the rural ones (5.19%, 27/520). Boys and girls showed similar detection rate (1.99%, 24/1204 vs 1.50%, 18/1204). Cryptosporidium infection was usually subclinical, the major clinical features of cryptosporidium included benign diarrhea, mild abdominal pain and nausea. CONCLUSION: The Cryptosporidium infection was relatively common in kindergartens in Anhui and higher infection rate was found in rural children. As majority of the Cryptosporidium infections are subclinical, the confirmation of diagnosis is important though difficult.