Intestinal Parasitic Infections in HIV Infected and Non-Infected Patients in a Low HIV Prevalence Region, West-Cameroon
Open Access
- 25 February 2013
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Public Library of Science (PLoS) in PLOS ONE
- Vol. 8 (2), e57914
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0057914
Abstract
The magnitude of intestinal parasitic infection in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients requires careful consideration in the developing world where poor nutrition is associated with poor hygiene and several tropical diseases. However, there have been very few studies addressing this issue in Cameroon. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in HIV/AIDS patients in Dschang -Cameroon. Stool and blood specimens from HIV/AIDS patients and control group were screened respectively for intestinal parasites and for HIV antibodies. Intestinal parasites were identified using direct microscopy, formalin-ether concentration and Ziehl Neelsen methods. Out of 396 participants recruited among patients consulting at hospital, 42 (10.6%) were HIV positive, thirty of them treatment naïve. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 14.64%. Out of 42 HIV/AIDS patients, 59.5% (25/42) were infected with intestinal parasites, while only 9.32% (33/354) of the HIV negative patients were infected with intestinal parasites. The parasites detected in our study population included Crystosporidium parvum (2.53%), Entamoeba histolytica (7.52%), Entamoeba coli (4.04%), Giardia lamblia (0.25%), Trichuris trichura (0.25%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.25%) and Taenia spp. (0.25%). In the HIV infected group, Crystosporidium parvum (19.04%), Entamoeba histolytica (19.04%), Entamoeba coli (21.42%), Giardia lamblia (2.38%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.25%) and Taenia spp. (0.25%) were found. Crystosporidium parvum was found to be significantly higher in HIV/AIDS patients than in controls (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the HIV status and the quality of water were the major risk factors for intestinal parasitosis. Routine examinations of stool samples for parasites would significantly benefit the HIV patients by contributing in reducing morbidity and improving the efficiency of antiretroviral treatment. Even after the introduction of free anti-retroviral drugs, opportunistic intestinal infections are still a threat. HIV patients should be screened routinely for intestinal parasites and treated for their overall well being.This publication has 13 references indexed in Scilit:
- Study of intestinal parasitic infections associated with HIV infection in Douala, CameroonRetrovirology, 2012
- [Survey on co-infection with HIV and intestinal parasites in high prevalence areas of HIV/AIDS, China].2012
- Co-infection of HIV and intestinal parasites in rural area of ChinaParasites & Vectors, 2012
- Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infestation in HIV seropositive and seronegative patients in Ilorin, NigeriaAnnals of African Medicine, 2010
- [Prevalence of opportunistic digestive parasitic infections in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Results of a preliminary study in 50 AIDS patients].2007
- PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES INCLUDING MICROSPORIDIA IN HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS–INFECTED ADULTS IN CAMEROON: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDYThe American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2006
- [Intestinal parasitosis during AIDS diarrhoea].2005
- Intestinal parasitic infections in HIV/AIDS patients: Experience at a teaching hospital in central BrazilScandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2005
- Could control of soil-transmitted helminthic infection influence the HIV/AIDS pandemicActa Tropica, 2003
- HIV-1/AIDS and the control of other infectious diseases in AfricaThe Lancet, 2002