Browsing by Author "Mbwana, Joyce Richard"

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    Prevalence of Cryptosporidium a diarrhhoeal associated pathogens among under five children in korogwe district, Tanzania: a case of korogwe District, Tanga
    (University of Dar es salaam, 2019) Mbwana, Joyce Richard
    Cryptosporidium is the second leading cause of diarrheal illness in the children. In low – and Middle-income Countries (LMICs). Diarrheal illness is rarely diagnosed and transmission dynamics of Cryptosporidium are not well understood. Although diarrhea can be self-limiting. In children the disease can be life threatening. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and characterize the Cryptosporidium species in children in order to delineate the disease transmission dynamics and patterns in Korogwe Districts, Tanzania. Stool specimens were screened for the presence of Cryptosporidium parasitic infection by Crypto Rapid test and repeated by multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPRC). A modified genotyping PCR was performed to identify different genotype associated with diarrheal. Subsequently, sub – typing and phylogenetic analyses based on gp 60 gene was done to identify sub—types and transmission pattern of Cryptosporidium in the study area. A total of 356 children with moderate to severe diarrhea were enrolled in the study in the study. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium was (49/136) 13.8% [95%CI== 10.5 -17.8] of whom (42/49) 85.7% were aged between (0-2) years and (7/49) 14.3% were between (3-5) years. Cryptosporidium hominis was the most predominant species (35/37) 94.6% whereas C. parvum accounted for only (2/37) 5.4%. Upon further sub-typing. C hominis revealed the highest sub-type were [EaIIg3t3.iAa24, IbA9g3. iDa17 and IfA14G. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequence showed an evidence of human to human transmission. This study has revealed a high prevalence of Cryptosporidium infections among children especially those aged below 24 months at korogwe District Hospital with main source of transmission being contaminated water and food. In order to combat Cryptosporidium related diarrheal illness in the study area. Access to safe drinking water and sanitary education should be improved