Cryptosporidiosis in children in a north Jordanian paediatric hospital.

We investigated the rate of infection by Cryptosporidium parvum among children from birth to 12 years attending Princess Rahma Teaching Hospital in Irbid, Jordan and evaluated various diagnostic methods. We collected single stool specimens from 300 children; 7 specimens were from children undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Diagnostic methods used for detection of infection were direct wet mount preparation, flotation concentration, cold Kinyoun Ziehl-Neelsen stain and direct immunofluorescence. We detected C. parvum oocysts in 112 samples (37.3%) using direct immunofluorescence, which showed the highest sensitivity. Source of drinking water appeared to be an important risk factor for transmission of infection. A higher incidence of infection was recorded during January-May, the rainy season.