الفهرس 
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Abstract
Cryptosporidium species is an important parasitic protozoan which causes diarrhea that may be life-threatening in immunocompromised hosts. The distribution of Cryptosporidium infection is worldwide. It occurs in both developed and under-developed countries, urban and rural areas, and in temperate as well as tropical climates. The oocyst is the stage transmitted -#102;-#114;-#111;-#109; an infected host to a susceptible host by faeco-oral route. br Both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals can be infected by Cryptosporidium causing a wide spectrum of diseases. In immunocompetent people, the condition is usually self-limited. In patients with defects in cellular immune responses, Cryptosporidium species can frequently cause persistent or chronic diarrhea which may lead to death. br Diagnosis of the Cryptosporidium oocyst in stool samples by conventional (light) microscopy is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the usefulness of ELISA technique for the detection copro-antigen of Cryptosporidium species -#102;-#114;-#111;-#109; fecal samples. To achieve this aim, the results of light microscopical examination methods and ELISA test were compared to determine which of both is more sensitive and specific for diagnosis of Cryptosporidiosis. br A total of Ninety cases who were complaining of persistent diarrhea (minimum of 3 loose stools per day with duration of more than 2 weeks) had been collected -#102;-#114;-#111;-#109; inpatient and outpatient clinics of Minia University Hospital, Minia District, Egypt after their oral acceptance to be enrolled in this study. Thirty sex patients had immunocompromising underlying disorders; eleven cases with severe malnutrition, nine cases with chronic diseases, twelve cases were receiving corticosteroids, and four cases with malignancies. Fifty four patients had persistent diarrhea without any immunocompromising disorders. br Stool samples were subjected to wet saline and iodine mounts. Samples were stained by 2 different methods; modified Acid-Fast stain and Giemsa stain. Then all samples were tested for Cryptosporidium copro-antigen by ELISA. br The study revealed the following: br 1- The results of examination of stool samples by using wet mount smear showed that the number of cases infected with Cryptosporidium species were 49 cases (43.75%), while the cases infected with Giardia lamblia were 21 cases (18.75%), 10 cases (8.9%) were infected with Blastocystis species, 12 cases (10.7%) with Entamoeba histolytica/ dispar, 10 cases (8.9%) with Entamoeba coli, 4 cases (3.6%) with Iodamoeba butchilii, 3 cases (2.7%) with Hymenolepis nana, 2 cases (1.8%) with Ascaris lambricoides and 1 case (0.8%) with Isospora belli.