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Cryptosporidiosis in AIDS and non-AIDS patients
J C Tsaihong1, P Guiguli, M Y Liou
1Department of Microbiology, St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center, New York.
Abstract:
Stool specimens were collected from 433 diarrheal patients (87 AIDS and 346 non-AIDS), among which, 154 specimens from 84 patients (45 AIDS and 39 non-AIDS) had cryptosporidial oocysts detected by acid-fast stain method. The overall incidence of cryptosporidiosis in this study was 19%; however, the incidence in the AIDS patients was almost 5 times of that in the non-AIDS patients. The consistency of 154 specimens having oocysts were 71 (46%) watery, 57 (37%) loose and 26 (17%) soft. The consistency of positive specimens from the AIDS patients and the non-AIDS patients were different; among 86 from AIDS patients, 54 (63%) of them were watery and 7 (8%) were soft; whereas in 68 positive specimens from the non-AIDS patients, 32 (47%) were loose and 19 (28%) were soft. The positive cases were found all-year-round and with a slightly higher incidence in December-February, 30 cases (36%), and in June-August, 23 cases (27%). Although a few enteric bacteria pathogens and protozoan parasites were also found in the stool specimens of patients with cryptosporidiosis, no close association with Cryptosporidium was found. As shown in this study, cryptosporidiosis is the leading cause of gastro-intestinal illness in great New York area and is not uncommonly found in AIDS and non-AIDS patients.
Insights
Cryptosporidiosis is a leading gastrointestinal illness in New York, affecting 19% of patients. AIDS patients had a nearly fivefold higher incidence of cryptosporidiosis compared to non-AIDS patients.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Cryptosporidiosis is a significant cause of diarrheal illness globally.
- The incidence and clinical presentation of cryptosporidiosis can vary between immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of cryptosporidiosis in diarrheal patients in the greater New York area.
- To compare the incidence and characteristics of cryptosporidiosis in patients with and without Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Main Methods:
- Stool specimens were collected from 433 diarrheal patients (87 with AIDS, 346 without).
- Acid-fast staining was used to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts.
- Patient data, including stool consistency and co-infections, were analyzed.
Main Results:
- An overall incidence of 19% for cryptosporidiosis was observed.
- AIDS patients exhibited an incidence nearly five times higher than non-AIDS patients.
- Watery stools were most common in AIDS patients with cryptosporidiosis, while loose and soft stools were more prevalent in non-AIDS patients.
Conclusions:
- Cryptosporidiosis is a common cause of gastrointestinal illness in the New York area, particularly among AIDS patients.
- The study highlights the increased susceptibility of AIDS patients to cryptosporidiosis.
- No significant association was found between Cryptosporidium and other common enteric pathogens in this cohort.