SUMMARY
Introduction: This study was aimed at the diagnostics of Cryptosporidium spp. in children suffering from malignant diseases with watery diarrhea. Cryptosporidiosis has the potential to become a nosocomial infection. Due to the fact, there is no effective etiological treatment available, in cancer patients, any associated infection can have fatal consequences, rapid and accurate diagnostics and intervention is needed in case of these intestinal pathogens.

Material and methods: A total of 30 samples from children (16 boys and 14 girls) hospitalized at the Faculty hospital for children in Košice were examined using PCR targeting the GP60 locus. After electrophoresis, positive samples were sent for DNA sequencing and the obtained sequences were compared with sequences stored in GenBank.
Results: From the 30 samples, Cryptosporidium spp. was identified in five children. C. parvum was identified in four patients C. hominis was identified in one child.
Conclusion: The occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in immunocompromised children with malignancies was confirmed. Early and accurate diagnostics can decrease the risk of death by associated infections by interrupting the transmission routes of these pathogens.
Key words: Cryptosporidium, children, cancer, immunosuppression, nosocomial infection.

Lek Obz, 2020, 69 (11): 422-425

Elena HATALOVÁ 1, Peter JURIŠ 1,2, Veronika BEDNÁROVÁ 1, Katarína PETRÍKOVÁ 1, Mariia LOGOIDA 1

1 Department of epidemiology, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Faculty of medicine, Košice, Slovakia, head of department Prof. M. Halánová, DVM, PhD.
2 Institute for healthcare disciplines, St. Elizabeth University of Health and Social sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia,  head Prof. PhDr. R. Babeľa, PhD., MBA

Elena HATALOVÁ, Peter JURIŠ, Veronika BEDNÁROVÁ, Katarína PETRÍKOVÁ, Mariia LOGOIDA: Kryptosporidióza u detí s malignitami (Cryptosporisiosis in children with malignancies). Lek Obz, 2020, 69 (11): 422-425