Cryptosporidium is an intercellular-extracytoplasmic parasite that infects a large of vertebrate animals. It has been known as an essential enteropathogen in humans during the past decade, occurring mainly in two forms; 1. self-limiting gastroenteritis in immunocompetent individuals, particularly in young children.
2. Severe and persistent diarrhea in immunocompromised persons. This parasite is transmitted by various means; person, animal to human, human and animal fecal contamination of the environment, including water and food.
This study was carried out as an epidemiological survey to evaluate the effects of sanitary conditions on parasite transmission patterns.
Thus, for the identification of Cryptosporidium oocyst, 1000 stool samples were collected ( in 1993 ) from children under 12 years of age in Khodabandeh city. ( Zanjan ) and were examined by modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain method of 1000 samples, 26 (2.6%) were identified positively. Detailed results are discussed in this paper.