Molecular Identification of Cryptosporidiosis and Helicobacter pylori Infection and Delayed Growth in Children

Background: Children are more susceptible to a wide range of infections. Objectives: The focus of this research was to investigate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), Cryptosporidium spp., and co-infection, as well as the magnitude of these infections and anthropometric indicators in diarrheic Egyptian children. Methods: A total of 152 diarrheic children, ranging in age from a few months to 12 years were considered as the study samples. All feces samples were examined under a microscope for parasites and molecularly for H. pylori and Cryptosporidium spp. A restriction enzyme was used to digest Cryptosporidium polymerase chain reaction products to determine the genotype. Results: Stool examinations revealed that 42 (27.6%) participants were infected with one or more parasites. Cryptosporidium 18 (11.8%), E. histolytica complex 12 (7.9%), and Giardia 9 (5.9%) were the most common parasites. The most frequent Cryptosporidium species was Cryptosporidium hominis (83%), whereas H. pylori was found in 45 (29.6%) patients. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium and H. pylori was unaffected by gender, age, socioeconomic status, or nutrition (P 0.05). Only head circumference (P 0.05) was observed to be linked with infection. Conclusion: The incidence of Cryptosporidium and H. pylori in diarrheic children may be of public health concern and negatively affects anthropometric indicators.