Abstract

Cryptosporidium parvum was firstly identified in 1912 in murine intestines. The first human cases were described only in 1976. In the early 1980s, large numbers of cases were noted to be associated with the emerging epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study. It was conducted in Alribat University hospital, Khartoum State and aimed to estimate the distribution of Cryptosporidium parvum among the patients in the study area. 120 stool samples were collected and analyzed by Modified Ziehl-Neelsen (Zn) Technique. Results shows that, C. parvum was more prevalent among the female patients (50.8%) than the males (27.3%). It was more prevalent among the age group >50 years old (62.5%). Furthermore, the parasite was more prevalent among HIV/AIDS patients (100%). The study concludes that C. parvum was more prevalent among the female patients and among the age group >50 years old and HIV/AIDS patients. The study recommends the routine examination of HIV/AIDS patients for C. parvum infection.

Keywords: Cryptosporidium parvum; Sudanese patients; Diarrhea