Research Article Open Access

Opportunistic Intestinal Parasites in HIV Infected Individuals and Its Correlation with the CD4 Counts.

Abstract

The association between intestinal parasitic infections and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is well documented. These infections are often correlated with the CD4+T cell counts of the individuals. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in HIV seropositive patients was compared with CD4 counts < 200 cells/μl, CD4 counts between 200- 500 cells/μl, and CD4 counts > 500 cells/μl. During one and a half years period, a total of 220 HIV seropositive patients were included in the study. One hundred and nineteen HIV seropositive patients were with CD4 counts < 200 cells/μl, 73 HIV seropositive patients were with CD4 counts between 200- 500 cells/μl and 28 HIV seropositive patients were with CD4 counts >500 cells/μl. The stool samples from these patients were examined for enteric parasites using saline and iodine mounts. Modified Z-N staining was carried out for enteric coccidian parasites and Modified trichrome stain for the microsporidia. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 41.36%. Enteric parasitic infections with CD4 counts <200 cells/μl included Cryptosposidium spp 20.17%, Isopsora belli 6.72%, Entamoeba histolytica 5.88%, Giardia lamblia and Ascaris lumbricoides 4.20% each. The enteric parasites found with CD4 counts between 200-500 cells/μl included Cryptosposidium spp. 15.07% and E.histolytica 2.74%; and with CD4 counts >500 cells/μl included E.histolytica 10.71% and Cryptosposidium spp. 17.86%. Microsporidia were only present in those patients having CD4 counts <200 cells/μl. Continuous monitoring of CD4 counts in HIV seropositive patients is necessary to look for intestinal parasites in stool samples of these patients.

Amol Zope, Anand Pai, Anuradha De, and Sujata M Baveja

To read the full article Download Full Article | Visit Full Article