Jpn. J. Infect. Dis., 58, 110-111, 2005
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Short Communication
Asymptomatic Cryptosporidiosis in a Periurban Slum Setting in Kolkata, India - a Pilot Study
Anup Palit*, Dipika Sur, Kakali MitraDhar and Malay Ranjan Saha
Division of Microbiology and Division of Epidemiology, National Institute of Cholera & Enteric Diseases, (Indian Council of Medical Research), Kolkata 700 010, India
(Received May 25, 2004. Accepted January 5, 2005)
*Corresponding author: Mailing address: Division of Microbiology,
National Institute of Cholera & Enteric Diseases, P-33, Scheme-XM,
CIT Road, Beliaghata, Kolkata 700 010, India. Tel: +91-33-2350-0448/5533/4478
ext. 117, Fax: +91-33-2350-5066, E-mail: palitanup@hotmail.com,
niced@ca12.vsnl.net.in
SUMMARY: We report the results of a prospective study conducted among asymptomatic children of slum dwellers in Kolkata, eastern India, to assess the prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum during the period of October 2002 to July 2003. Of the 609 fecal samples examined, C. parvum was detected in 14 (2.3%). The study indicated that poor sanitary conditions may be cofactors for the cryptosporidial disease burden among slum dwellers. The implications of asymptomatic infections have been discussed.