PREVALENCE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM SPP. AMONG ASYMPTOMATIC HEALTHY EXPATRIATE WORKERS IN SHARJAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Authors

  • Ali ElBakri Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
  • Lazarus Mogane University of Venda, Department of Microbiology, Thohoyandou, South Africa;
  • Sinda Ezzedine Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
  • Natasha Potgieter University of Venda, Department of Microbiology, Thohoyandou, South Africa;
  • Pascal Bessong HIV/AIDS and Global Health Research Programme, Department of Microbiology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
  • Raed AbuOdeh Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
  • Amidou Samie University of Venda, Department of Microbiology, Thohoyandou, South Africa;

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21010/Ajid.v12i2.2

Keywords:

Cryptosporidium, prevalence, PCR, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Background: Epidemiological data on Cryptosporidium infections in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is scarce. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium species among a community of expatriates in Sharjah, UAE working in different sectors, including the food industry, house maids and other domestic occupations. Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirty four stool samples were collected from asymptomatic individuals presenting to the Sharjah Municipality Public Health Clinic (SMPHC) for screening of intestinal parasites for work permission purposes between 2009 and 2011. Demographic information such as age, sex, and country of origin was collected. Genomic DNA extracted from the stool samples were tested for Cryptosporidium species using real-time PCR (qPCR). Results: Twenty-six individuals (19.4%) were positive for Cryptosporidium sp. by PCR. The infection rate was found to be highest in Afghan nationals (33%; 3/9) compared with the rest of the study population; yet, no significant association existed between nationality and infection rate. Moreover, no association was observed between infection rate and gender (χ2 = 2.439; P = 0.118), nor infection rate and age group (χ2 = 1.219; P = 0.544). Conclusion: Infection by Cryptosporidium sp. was common in the study group, and further studies are needed within the native Emirati population before any conclusions can be made about foreigners potentially transmitting the parasite. Furthermore, data provided in this study could help determine its public and veterinary significance particularly in outbreaks in the country.

Author Biographies

Ali ElBakri, Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Lazarus Mogane, University of Venda, Department of Microbiology, Thohoyandou, South Africa;

University of Venda, Department of Microbiology, Thohoyandou, South Africa;

Sinda Ezzedine, Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Natasha Potgieter, University of Venda, Department of Microbiology, Thohoyandou, South Africa;

University of Venda, Department of Microbiology, Thohoyandou, South Africa;

Pascal Bessong, HIV/AIDS and Global Health Research Programme, Department of Microbiology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa

HIV/AIDS and Global Health Research Programme, Department of Microbiology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa

Raed AbuOdeh, Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Amidou Samie, University of Venda, Department of Microbiology, Thohoyandou, South Africa;

University of Venda, Department of Microbiology, Thohoyandou, South Africa;

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Published

2018-06-18

How to Cite

ElBakri, A., Mogane, L., Ezzedine, S., Potgieter, N., Bessong, P., AbuOdeh, R., & Samie, A. (2018). PREVALENCE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM SPP. AMONG ASYMPTOMATIC HEALTHY EXPATRIATE WORKERS IN SHARJAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. African Journal of Infectious Diseases (AJID), 12(2), 7–13. https://doi.org/10.21010/Ajid.v12i2.2

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 2 (2018)

Section

Articles

License

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