| Abstract Cryptosporidiosis is a relatively uncommon disease
in healthy individuals but could be potentially worrisome in
immunocompromised patients. This study aimed to evaluate
Cryptosporidium infection in children with cancer undergoing
chemotherapy. A case-control study was conducted in 132
children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy and 132
non-cancer controls. The modified Ziehl-Neelsen (MZN)
staining and polymerase chain reaction methods were used
for the detection of Cryptosporidium parasite. All positive
isolates were sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. Statistical
analysis was performed using the SPSS version 16 and Fisher
exact test. The rate of cryptosporidiosis in childrenwith cancer
undergoing chemotherapy was 3.8%, which was higher than
that of the control group. Other intestinal parasites detected in
patients with cancer included Giardia lamblia (3%),
Entamoeba coli (1.5%), and Chilomastix mesnili (0.8%). In
the control group, only two (1.5%) cases were positive for
G. lamblia. No significant difference was observed between
the gender, age, residency, contact with domestic animals,
stool appearance, neutropenia, chemotherapy period, and type
of malignancy with regard to cryptosporidiosis. Phylogenetic
analysis revealed that Cryptosporidium parvum isolates in this
study relied on a branch that represents similar sequences from
Iran and other countries. Although the rate of
Cryptosporidium infection was relatively higher in children
with cancer undergoing chemotherapy compared to the control
group, any statistically significant difference has not been
found between them. These findings should not be contrary to
the need for healthcare to prevent opportunistic parasitic infections
in malignant and immunocompromised patients. |