ASSESSING THE EFFICACY OF NITAZOXANIDE IN TREATMENT OF CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS USING PCR EXAMINATION.

Cryptosporidiosis is a gastrointestinal disease of humans and other animals, caused by the genus Cryptosporidium spp. It causes persistent diarrhea and malnutrition and is associated with increased mortality. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of nitazoxanide (NTZ) on clearing the oocysts of C. parvum among infected children using both parasitological and PCR techniques.120 children (1-12y) shedding Cryptosporidium oocysts in their stools were enrolled in the study. They were classified on the basis of the immune status into immunocompetent (ICT) and immunocompromised (ICZ) groups. Each group were subdivided into two groups one of them received'NTZ, and the other received placebo. The efficacy of nitazoxanide was assessed clinically, parasitologically and by nested-PCR technique. At the end of 1st week of treatment, 80% of ICT/ NTZ group and 40% of ICT/ placebo group were free by PCR and 83.3% & 20% respectively were microscopically free. While at the end of 4th week, 93.3% of ICT/NTZ group and 43.3% of ICT/ placebo group were free by PCR and 96.7% & 26.7% respectively were microscopically free. Among the ICZ group, diarrhea was resolved in most patients receiving NTZ within 21 to 28 days of treatment initiation While, it resolved in the ICT group receiving NTZ in most patients within 3 to 5 days of treatment initiation.