Molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. in North Lebanon

Authors

  • Marwan Osman Ecole Doctorale des Sciences et de Technologie, Faculté de Santé Publique, Université Libanaise, Tripoli, Liban
  • Sadia Benamrouz Université de Lille, CHU de Lille, Biologie et Diversité des Pathogènes Eucaryotes Emergents (BDPEE), Lille, France
  • Karine Guyot Université de Lille, CHU de Lille, Biologie et Diversité des Pathogènes Eucaryotes Emergents (BDPEE), Lille, France
  • Dima El Safadi Ecole Doctorale des Sciences et de Technologie, Faculté de Santé Publique, Université Libanaise, Tripoli, Liban
  • Hassan Mallat Ecole Doctorale des Sciences et de Technologie, Faculté de Santé Publique, Université Libanaise, Tripoli, Liban
  • Fouad Dabboussi Ecole Doctorale des Sciences et de Technologie, Faculté de Santé Publique, Université Libanaise, Tripoli, Liban
  • Monzer Hamze Ecole Doctorale des Sciences et de Technologie, Faculté de Santé Publique, Université Libanaise, Tripoli, Liban
  • Eric Viscogliosi Université de Lille, CHU de Lille, Biologie et Diversité des Pathogènes Eucaryotes Emergents (BDPEE), Lille, France
  • Gabriela Certad Université de Lille, CHU de Lille, Biologie et Diversité des Pathogènes Eucaryotes Emergents (BDPEE), Lille, France

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.10014

Keywords:

Cryptosporidium spp., Molecular Epidemiology, Genotyping, Risk factors, Lebanon

Abstract

Cryptosporidium spp. are enteroparasites with worldwide distribution that infect the gastrointestinal tract of several vertebrates including humans. Human to human, zoonotic, foodborne and waterborne are reported as the main transmission routes of this parasite. Cryptosporidium spp. have been recognized as the predominant cause of waterborne and foodborne outbreaks. However, the epidemiological situation of cryptosporidiosis is not well known in Lebanon, a developing country with a population often affected by intestinal parasitic infections.

This study was devoted to determine the prevalence and the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in symptomatic hospitalized patients and in two children populations with different socio-economic level in North-Lebanon, as well as the risk factors associated with cryptosporidiosis.

Fecal samples obtained from these populations were examined microscopically by modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining as well as nested PCR were done for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts.

Out of 163 symptomatic hospitalized patients and 249 children, Cryptosporidium was present in 11% and 10.4% respectively according to microscopy examination and/or molecular tests. The genotyping showed the predominance of Cryptosporidium hominis in both populations. Subgenotype analysis of the isolates at the gp60 locus identified three subtypes IdA19, IbA10G2 and IaA18R3 for C. hominis and two subtypes IIaA15G1R1 and IIaA15G2R1 for C. parvum. Moreover, cryptosporidiosis was correlated with having meals outside home and presence of gastrointestinal symptoms especially diarrhea (p <0.05).

This work constitutes the first molecular epidemiology study outlining risk factors associated with cryptosporidiosis in Lebanon. These findings support a need of a control program to prevent the circulation of this parasite.

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Published

2018-02-22

How to Cite

1.
Osman M, Benamrouz S, Guyot K, El Safadi D, Mallat H, Dabboussi F, Hamze M, Viscogliosi E, Certad G (2018) Molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. in North Lebanon. J Infect Dev Ctries 12:34S. doi: 10.3855/jidc.10014

Issue

Section

The Lebanese LSIDCM