First report of cryptosporidiosis in paediatric patients in Swaziland.

Diarrhoeal disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in many African countries, especially among the immunocompromised and the under five population. Over the last decade, the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidum spp. has been shown to be a significant cause of gastro-enetritis in the immunocompetent and immunocompromised in both the developed and developing world. This study reports the first finding of Cryptosporidum spp. oocysts in 2 of 48 (4.2%) faecal samples obtained from Swazi paediatric outpatients (two year old male and three year old female), presenting with diarrhoea at Mbabane Government Hospital between the months July-August 2003. Oocysts were detected using a standard anti-Cryptosporidium immunofluorescence and nuclear staining technique (after formal-ether concentration). Oocysts ranged in size from 4-6 microm with between 1-4 oocysts per field of view (x 400). The precise species was not determined. Further studies are required to determine the public health significance of Cryptospoirdium in Swaziland.