Abstract:
Background: Respiratory Cryptosporidium infection is the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts
within upper or lower respiratory tracts in humans. It is recognized as a late-stage complication
of intestinal cryptosporidiosis. The appearance of Cryptosporidium oocysts in respiratory tracts
can be serious health issue, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study
assessed the prevalence of Cryptosporidium parasite in sputum and its associated risk factors in
pulmonary tuberculosis-suspects.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1
st to May 5
th 2017 at Jimma
University Medical Center. Data were collected using questionnaires. Sputa were screened with
auramine phenol stain to detect oocysts by fluorescencent microscope. Positive sputa were reconfirmed with immunofluorescent antibody test and inoculated onto chocolate and blood agar
plates. Wet mount preparations in potassium hydroxide were also done on these positive sputa.
Data were entered into Epi-Data 3.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 21.0 software.
Results: Oocysts were detected in 9 (2.12%) sputa of 424 participants. No growth of pathogenic
bacteria in cultures. Fungal elements were not observed in potassium hydroxide wet mount.
Close proximity to animals, occupation, HIV and PTB infections were significantly associated
with respiratory Cryptosporidium infection at p-value < 0.05.
Conclusions: Although the prevalence of respiratory Cryptosporidium infection looked like low,
it indicated importance as a public health problem. The prevalence was significantly associated
with close proximity to animals, occupation, HIV and PTB infections.
Recommendations: Considering the possibility of respiratory Cryptosporidium infection in
pulmonary tuberculosis suspects, it is better if medical laboratory personals, who conduct
auramine phenol microscopy for TB bacilli, should be familiar with the appearance of oocysts in
respiratory specimens
