Abstract: 　Objective To study the cryptosporidiosis infection among young children in 29 kindergartens in the province, and to explore the best way to diagnose the infection. Methods Stool specimens of 1 204 children were collected, oocysts of Cryptosporidium were identified with auarmine O-modified staining, acid-fast staining, safranine T and methylene blue staining, and auarmine O-modeified acid-fast staining. Results The detection rate of Cryptosporidium in four stainings were 2.46%,1.50%,1.98% and 3.46% respectively, and the rate was significantly higher by auarmine O-modified acid-fast staining than other stainings (P<0.01). The infection rate was significantly lower in urban children (2.14%, 15/684) than the rural ones (5.19%, 27/520). Boys and girls showed similar detection rate (1.99%, 24/1 204 vs 1.50%, 18/1 204). Cryptosporidium infection was usually subclinical, the major clinical features of cryptosporidium included benign doiarrhea, mild abdominal pain and nausea. Conclusion The Cryptosporidium infection was relatively common in kindergartens in Anhui and higher infection rate was found in rural children. As majority of the Cryptosporidium infections are subclinical, the confirmation of diagnosis is important though difficult.

Key words: Cryptosporidium sp, Children, Kindergarten