Microsporidiosis among children with malignant diseases in Basrah, Iraq
Abstract
Objective: To estimate the prevalence of microsporidiosis among children with malignant diseases.
Methodology: Stool samples were collected from 58 children (37 males and 21 females) with malignant diseases and 107 apparently healthy children (55 males and 52 females). Direct smear method was done for all stool samples to detect the intestinal parasites. Fecal smears were prepared and stained by Trichrome stain method for the recovery of Microsporidium spores.
Results: The results showed that acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) was the most prevalent (55.2%) malignant disease among the studied patients. The highest rate of Microsporidium infection among the 12 types of malignant diseases was found in patients with Hodgkin and non-hodgkin lymphoma (83.3%). Prevalence of various species of intestinal parasites (including Microsporidium) was 48.3%. The highest rate of parasitic infections was observed in patients with ALL (34.4%). No Microsporidium spores were observed in stool samples of the control group. The clinical symptoms among patients included weight loss (77.6%), fever (29.3%) and diarrhea (27.6%).
Conclusion: Microsporidium and other intestinal parasites should be considered among the patients with malignant diseases in order to minimize their symptoms.
Methodology: Stool samples were collected from 58 children (37 males and 21 females) with malignant diseases and 107 apparently healthy children (55 males and 52 females). Direct smear method was done for all stool samples to detect the intestinal parasites. Fecal smears were prepared and stained by Trichrome stain method for the recovery of Microsporidium spores.
Results: The results showed that acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) was the most prevalent (55.2%) malignant disease among the studied patients. The highest rate of Microsporidium infection among the 12 types of malignant diseases was found in patients with Hodgkin and non-hodgkin lymphoma (83.3%). Prevalence of various species of intestinal parasites (including Microsporidium) was 48.3%. The highest rate of parasitic infections was observed in patients with ALL (34.4%). No Microsporidium spores were observed in stool samples of the control group. The clinical symptoms among patients included weight loss (77.6%), fever (29.3%) and diarrhea (27.6%).
Conclusion: Microsporidium and other intestinal parasites should be considered among the patients with malignant diseases in order to minimize their symptoms.
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