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Cryptosporidiosis in HIV infection
L Anand1, N G Brajachand, C H Dhanachand
1Life Sciences Department, Manipur University, Canchipur.
Abstract:
Preserved faecal specimens (10 per cent Buffer formalin), from 150 HIV infected persons having symptomatic diarrhoea and 50 non-diarrhoeal apparently healthy people aged between 15-30 years were examined to detect the presence of cryptosporidium infection. 70 diarrhoeal patients (46.6 per cent) were found to excrete this pathogen. None of the non-diarrhoeals was found to excrete this parasite. It is evident from the present study that cryptosporidium is highly prevalent amongst the HIV infected persons with symptomatic diarrhoea. All the HIV infected persons were known cases of injected drug users.
Insights
Cryptosporidium infection is common in HIV-infected individuals with diarrhea, particularly among injected drug users. This study found the parasite in 46.6% of symptomatic HIV patients, but not in healthy individuals.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection can compromise the immune system, increasing susceptibility to opportunistic infections.
- Cryptosporidium is an opportunistic parasite known to cause severe, persistent diarrhea in immunocompromised individuals.
- Intravenous drug use is a significant risk factor for HIV transmission and associated opportunistic infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in HIV-infected individuals presenting with symptomatic diarrhea.
- To assess the presence of Cryptosporidium in a control group of apparently healthy individuals.
Main Methods:
- Faecal specimens were collected from 150 HIV-infected patients with diarrhea and 50 healthy controls (aged 15-30 years).
- Specimens were preserved in 10% buffered formalin and examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium.
- All HIV-infected participants were known cases of injected drug use.
Main Results:
- Cryptosporidium was detected in 70 out of 150 (46.6%) HIV-infected patients with diarrhea.
- No Cryptosporidium parasites were found in the non-diarrhoeal healthy control group.
- The study highlights a high prevalence of Cryptosporidium among HIV-infected individuals with diarrhea.
Conclusions:
- Cryptosporidium is highly prevalent in HIV-infected individuals experiencing symptomatic diarrhea.
- HIV-infected individuals, especially those with a history of injected drug use, are at significant risk for Cryptosporidium infection.
- Routine screening for Cryptosporidium may be warranted in HIV-infected patients with diarrhea.