Two hundred and one samples obtained from 61 children were examined for Cryptosporidium infection during a period of 12 months. One hundred fifteen specimens were collected during diarrhoea episodes and the remaining 86 obtained out of diarrhoea period, as controls. All samples were examined by a modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method. Cryptosporidium was detected in 6 (5.2%) of 115 samples from diarrhoeic children. All non-diarrhoeic control patients were negative for Cryptosporidum. The present study suggests that Cryptosporidium is an agent of self-limited diarrhoea among immunocompetent children from Belém, Pará.
Cryptosporidium; infantile diarrhoea