Authors : Hemalatha G. , Hemalatha G. , Mangaiyarkarasi T. , Mangaiyarkarasi T. , Malini A. , Malini A. , Sageera Banoo, Sageera Banoo, Sethmadhavan K. , Sethmadhavan K.
DOI : 10.18231/2581-4761.2018.0057
Volume : 4
Issue : 4
Year : 0
Page No : 266-271
Introduction: Human immuno deficiency virus infection has become a pandemic. Infection with HIV results in a chronic illness characterized by a progressive decline in cell-mediated immune function. Diarrhoea occurs in almost 90% of patients with HIV in developing countries at sometime during the clinical course, and is the presenting symptom of approximately one third of patients with HIV infection.
Aims:
Settings and Design: The cross sectional study was carried out in Puducherry for a period of 15 months.
Materials and Methods: Two consecutive stool samples were collected from from HIV seropositive patients. The samples were concentrated and subjected to stool concentration, iodine and saline mounts & Kinyoun’s staining.
Statistical analysis used: Epi info 6 computer software package [CDC, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 1995].
Results: Of the 22 diarrhoeic stools of HIV cases, 7(31.8%) yielded parasites on Kinyoun’s staining; all 7(100%) were opportunistic protozoan pathogens. The prevalence of intestinal parasites among the HIV infected patients is as follows: Cryptosporidium sp. and Microsporidium sp., each were found in 6.3% of HIV seropositive cases. Strongyloides was seen in 2.5% of 80 seropositive cases. The mean CD4 counts in cases with parasites are listed as follows: Cryptosporidium sp.-133.2 cells, Microsporidium sp.-896 cells, Strongyloides stercoralis-228.5, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar-522 cells, Giardia sp. - 884 cells. Cryptosporidium sp. and Strongyloides stercoralis are found more in HIV seropositive cases with CD4 counts less than 200 cells; (p=0.002, OR=36, 95% CI=4-56) for Cryptosporidium sp. and ( OR=14.6, 95% CI=1.5-39.6) for Strongyloides stercoralis. There is a significant correlation between CD4 counts <200 p=0.005); OR=16.76(95%> Conclusions: The present study shows that Cryptosporidium is the predominant enteric protozoan parasite.
Keywords: HIV, Diarrhoea, Cryptosporidium, Kinyoun staining, CD4 counts
Key Messages: Enteric parasitic pathogens (opportunistic) in HIV infected individuals is common in patients with normal CD4 counts and antibiotic prophylaxis