Cystoisospora Sp. Infection Determined in Immunosuppressed and Immunocompetent Children: Three Cases Report

Abstract

The aim of this study was to present three cystoisosporiasis cases diagnosed in pediatric patients of the Yuzuncu Yil University Medical Faculty. In the study, stool samples of the patients were evaluated by native-Lugol and modified acid-fast staining methods in the Parasitology Laboratory. The first case was a 4-year-old male child diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It was reported that the patient had abdominal pain, and permanent bloody and mucous diarrhea (8-10 times a day) was present for almost 1 week after the beginning of ALL treatment. The second case was a 10-year-old boy diagnosed with depression. The patient was brought to our hospital by his parents with complaints of abdominal pain, diarrhea, lack of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue persisting since 1 month in addition to headache, fear, sleeplessness, and waking up with cry. The third case was a 13-year-old boy who complained of abdominal pain, diarrhea (rare occasions), lack of appetite, and headache for 2 months. These patients had not traveled abroad. The cases were treated successfully with co-trimoxazole. Our results suggest that all patient groups with diarrhea and abdominal pain should also be considered in cystoisosporiasis.