Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Sequencing of Bacterial Microflora in Peripheral Blood: our Experience with HIV-infected Patients
13:50

Sequencing of Bacterial Microflora in Peripheral Blood: our Experience with HIV-infected Patients

Published on: June 11, 2011

12.8K

Molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium in HIV/AIDS patients in Malaysia

I Asma1, B L H Sim2, R D Brent3

  • 1Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Tropical Biomedicine
|December 23, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Cryptosporidiosis is common in HIV/AIDS patients in Malaysia, with Cryptosporidium parvum being the most prevalent species. Risk factors include low CD4 counts, identifying potential zoonotic transmission routes for better control.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Parasitology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Molecular Epidemiology

Background:

  • Cryptosporidiosis poses a significant health risk to immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).
  • Understanding the prevalence and species of Cryptosporidium in this vulnerable population is crucial for effective management and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of Cryptosporidium infections among HIV/AIDS patients in Malaysia.
  • To identify risk factors associated with cryptosporidiosis in this cohort and to inform control measures.

Main Methods:

  • Stool samples from 346 HIV/AIDS patients were analyzed using modified Ziehl-Neelsen acid fast staining.
  • Conventional coproscopical methods were employed to detect other protozoan and helminth infections.
  • Nested-PCR amplification of the SSU rRNA gene followed by DNA sequencing was used for Cryptosporidium species identification.

Main Results:

  • A prevalence of 12.4% for Cryptosporidium infection was observed in the studied HIV/AIDS patients.
  • Coinfections with other parasites were common, with 23.3% having other protozoa and 34.9% having both protozoa and helminths.
  • Cryptosporidium parvum was the predominant species (84.3%), followed by C. hominis, C. meleagridis, and C. felis. Higher infection rates were noted in adult males of Malay background, intravenous drug users, and individuals with CD4 counts below 200 cells/mm³.

Conclusions:

  • The study highlights a substantial prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in hospitalized HIV/AIDS patients in Malaysia.
  • The predominance of C. parvum suggests a significant role for zoonotic transmission in this population.
  • Molecular and epidemiological data are vital for understanding infection origins and improving treatment and control strategies for cryptosporidiosis in HIV/AIDS patients.

More Related Videos

An In Vitro Model for Measuring Immune Responses to Malaria in the Context of HIV Co-infection08:14

An In Vitro Model for Measuring Immune Responses to Malaria in the Context of HIV Co-infection

Published on: October 6, 2015

10.8K
Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model23:56

Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model

Published on: October 31, 2010

17.4K

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
700
Retrovirus Life Cycles01:10

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the...
50.6K