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Intestinal Protozoa in Hiv-Infected Patients: A Retrospective Analysis
Orçun Zorbozan1, Günel Quliyeva2, Varol Tunalı1
1Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Parazitoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye.
Objective:
Intestinal parasitic infections are common in immunodeficient patients. In developing countries, the incidence of diarrhea due to parasitic infections in HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)-positive individuals is reported to be over 90%. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of intestinal protozoa in HIV-positive patients with gastrointestinal complaints.
Methods:
The fecal samples of 65 HIV-positive patients (14 women, 51 men) were included. Clinical data obtained from patients' files and laboratory results were retrospectively scanned using laboratory information system. Age, sex, parasite positivity, CD4+ count, HIV RNA level, and antiretroviral therapy information were recorded.
Results:
Fourteen Cryptosporidium spp. (21.5%), 2 Cyclospora spp. (3.1%), 7 Blastocystis spp. (10.8%), and 1 Cryptosporidium spp.+Blastocystis spp. (1.5%) were detected. The median duration of antiretroviral treatment was 3 months and 12 months in patients with and without parasites in fecal samples, respectively. The duration of antiretroviral treatment was significantly higher in non-infected patients (p=0.002). No significant correlations were found between parasite presence and CD4+ T cell counts or HIV RNA levels.
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest that positive effects of antiretroviral therapy on the immune system of HIV-infected patients reduce the risk of intestinal parasitic infection, and thus, this treatment may play an important role in protection.
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