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Cryptosporidium, isospora and strongyloides in AIDS
D N Lanjewar1, C Rodrigues, D G Saple
1Department of Pathology, Grant Medical College, Bombay, Maharashtra, India.
The National Medical Journal of India
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Diarrhoea in AIDS patients is often caused by parasites like Cryptosporidium and Isospora. Identifying these specific infections is crucial for effective treatment in immunocompromised individuals.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunocompromised Host Research
Background:
- Diarrhoea is a frequent symptom in patients diagnosed with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
- Opportunistic parasitic infections are often responsible for persistent diarrhoea in AIDS patients, unlike in immunocompetent individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of specific parasites causing chronic diarrhoea in patients with AIDS.
- To highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of identifying these pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Faecal specimens from 77 AIDS patients with prolonged diarrhoea were analyzed.
- Diagnostic techniques included direct wet mount microscopy and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining.
Main Results:
- Parasites including Cryptosporidium, Isospora, and Strongyloides stercoralis were identified in 29 out of 77 patients.
- These parasites were found individually or in mixed infections.
Conclusions:
- The identified parasites possess significant pathogenic potential in immunocompromised individuals with AIDS.
- Prompt diagnosis of Isospora infections is critical due to their responsiveness to treatment, offering therapeutic benefits.