Cryptosporidium and isospora belli diarrhoea in immunocompromised hosts

Cryptosporidium and isospora, two of the intestinal coccidian parasites known to be the causative agents of acute diarrhoea in animals, have now emerged as one of the main causes of prolonged life threatening diarrhoea in immunocompromised patients particularly so in patients with AIDS. Between June 1996 and December 1997, a total of 75 immunocompromised patients presenting with diarrhoea were investigated both for Cryptosporidium and Isospora. The study group consisted of cancer and AIDS patients with history of diarrhoea. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 35 patients (46.7%). One of the faecal samples from an AIDS patient with diarrhoea showed the presence of both Cryptosporidium and Isospora oocysts. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second documented report of Isospora associated diarrhoea in an AIDS patient from India. The various techniques used for demonstration of these parasites were modified acid fast staining, Safranine Methylene-blue staining and direct immunofluorescence test.