151541 20251017144622.0 doi 10.3390/microorganisms13020298 sideral 143185 ART-2025-143185 eng Lafarga-Molina, Laura Analysis of Reported Cases of Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium spp. Infection in Children from Aragón (Northeast Spain) During the Period (2012–2021) 2025 Access copy available to the general public Unrestricted Giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis, caused by Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium spp., are parasitic infections transmitted through faecal–oral routes or contaminated water. Although less common in Spain compared to developing countries, they pose a public health concern, particularly for vulnerable groups like children and immunocompromised individuals. This study aims to analyse the cases reported to the Microbiological Information System (MIS) in children between 2012 and 2021, as well as their distribution across sociodemographic variables. Proportions and infectivity rates were determined for epidemiological and sociodemographic data, and the incidence rate for giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis was calculated annually and by health sector. The variables analysed included sex, age, health sector and weather. For both diseases, there was a significant decrease in the number of cases in 2020, suggesting the importance of person-to-person transmission. Children were infected by Giardia in significantly higher proportion (p < 0.001), being the majority in age groups 5–14 years, while the proportion of boys and girls infected by Cryptosporidium was almost identical (1.4% vs. 1.3%), in children aged 2–4 years. Periodically there was a significant increase in cases of cryptosporidiosis, apparently related to the presence of torrential rains. Transmission is related to increased temperature and rainfall. Person-to-person transmission in the paediatric population needs further investigation. This study provides the foundation for future research on the evolution of cases of giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis in Spanish children. The data emphasise the need for informational campaigns on hygienic measures and efforts by public health authorities to maintain water resources in optimal condition to prevent parasite spread. info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/B43-23R info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/B53-23R info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess by https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.es info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion Rubio, Encarnación Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0002-9273-5885 Seral, Cristina Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0002-9742-1463 Rezusta, Antonio (orcid)0000-0001-7294-245X Egido Lizán, Pilar Malo Aznar, Carmen Casanovas-Marsal, Josep-Oriol (orcid)0000-0002-2326-2703 Fernández Rodrigo, María Teresa Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0002-6455-119X Goñi, Pilar Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0003-0765-7227 1011 660 Universidad de Zaragoza Dpto. Microb.Ped.Radio.Sal.Pú. Área Parasitología 1006 255 Universidad de Zaragoza Dpto. Fisiatría y Enfermería Área Enfermería 1011 630 Universidad de Zaragoza Dpto. Microb.Ped.Radio.Sal.Pú. Área Microbiología 1011 615 Universidad de Zaragoza Dpto. Microb.Ped.Radio.Sal.Pú. Área Medic.Prevent.Salud Públ. 13, 2 (2025), 298 [14 pp.] Microorganisms Microorganisms 2076-2607 794252 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/151541/files/texto_completo.pdf Versión publicada 2871553 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/151541/files/texto_completo.jpg?subformat=icon icon Versión publicada oai:zaguan.unizar.es:151541 articulos driver 2025-10-17-14:22:15 ARTICLE