Cryptosporidium Species and Subtypes and Clinical Manifestations in Children, Peru

摘要

To determine whether clinical manifestations are asso-ciated with genotypes or subtypes of Cryptosporidium spp., we studied a 4-year longitudinal birth cohort of 533 children in Peru. A total of 156 infection episodes were found in 109 children. Data from fi rst infections showed that C. hominis was associated with diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, general malaise, and increased oocyst shedding intensity and dura-tion. In contrast, C. parvum, C. meleagridis, C. canis, and C. felis were associated with diarrhea only. C. hominis subtype families were identifi ed (Ia, Ib, Id, and Ie); all were asso-ciated with diarrhea. Ib was also associated with nausea, vomiting, and general malaise. All C. parvum specimens belonged to subtype family IIc. Analysis of risk factors did not show associations with specifi c Cryptosporidium spp. genotypes or subtypes. These fi ndings strongly suggest that Cryptosporidium spp. and subtypes are linked to differ-ent clinical manifestations in children