Prevalence of intestinal parasites among HIV/AIDS patients attending Infectious Disease Hospital Kano, Nigeria
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Date
2014
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pan African Medical Journal
Abstract
Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infection has been a major source of morbidity in tropical countries especially among HIV patients. The aim of
this study was to determine prevalence of intestinal parasites and its association with immunological status and risk factors among HIV infected
patients in Kano, Nigeria. Methods: 105 HIV+ subjects and 50 HIV- controls were recruited into the studies from June to December 2010. Clinical
information was collected using a questionnaire. Single stool and venous blood samples were collected from each subject. Stool examination and
CD4+ count were performed. Results: Prevalence of intestinal parasites was 11.4% and 6% among the HIV+ and control subjects respectively
with no statistically significant difference (p=0.389). Specifically, the following intestinal parasites were isolated from HIV+ subjects:
Entamoebahistolytica (5.7%), hookworm (3.8%), Entamoeba coli (1%), Blastocystishominis (1%). Only Entamoebahistolytica was isolated among
the control subjects. The mean CD4+ count of HIV+ and control subjects was 287 cells/ul and 691 cells/µlrespectively while the median was
279(Q1-120, Q3-384) cell/µl and 691(Q1-466, Q3-852) cell/µlrespectively with statistically significant difference (P= 0.021).Diarrhea and the
absence of anti-parasitic therapy seem to be important risk factors associated with the occurrence of intestinal parasites among HIV+ subjects. A
higher prevalence (14.5%) of intestinal parasites was observed in subject with CD4+ count 350cell/µl. Conclusion: Routine examination for
intestinal parasites should be carried out for better management of HIV/AIDS patients.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
intestinal parasites, HIV/AIDS patients, Kano, Nigeria