Prevalence and risk factors for Cryptosporidium spp. infection in immuno-compromised hosts: A neglected parasite with rise in menace and review of the literature.

This article focuses on cryptosporidiosis, a highly infectious protozoan gastrointestinal disease predominantly affecting immuno-compromised individuals and causing self-limited diarrhoea in immune-competent hosts. A descriptive observational study conducted at a tertiary care center identified Cryptosporidium spp. in 28 out of 561 stool samples, with the highest prevalence in the 41–50 years age group and notable risk factors including animal contact and immunosuppressive conditions. Diagnosis primarily relied on stool microscopy with modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining, a cost-effective method suitable for low-resource settings despite its limitations. The study underscores the importance of considering cryptosporidiosis in differential diagnoses of diarrhoeal illness, especially in populations with poor sanitation, and highlights the need for integrated public health approaches to control this zoonotic infection.