Cryptosporidiosis in Ogun State, south-west Nigeria.

During the period of one month in the rainy season in Ogun State in south-west Nigeria 479 stool samples (420 of which were diarrhoea stool samples) were examined for cryptosporidiosis. Oocysts were detected in 2.3% of all stools, in 2.6% of diarrhoeal stools and in 5.3% out of 150 children with diarrhoea. Cryptosporidium was the sole pathogen detected in six of 11 cases. In addition to cryptosporidia also Entamoeba histolytica, Blastocystis hominis, Giardia lamblia, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Trichuris trichiura could be found. Compared to other studies in tropical countries, the frequency of infection was lower in south-west Nigeria.