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Parasitic opportunistic infections in Czech HIV-infected patients--a prospective study
Z Pospísilová1, O Ditrich, M Stanková
1Institute of Parasitology, Academy of Science of the Czech Republic, Ceské Budĕjovice.
Abstract:
To determine the frequency of opportunistic parasites, especially causative agents of microsporidiosis and cryptosporidiosis in HIV-infected patients in the Czech Republic, more than 75% of all Czech HIV-infected patients were examined during this study. Target staining techniques were used for parasitological examination of stool, sputum and urine of HIV-infected patients. In addition, their sera were examined by indirect ELISA technique with specific antigens from E. cuniculi, E. hellem and C. parvum. Specific antibodies to T. gondii were detected by CF test. In 2.1% of HIV-infected patients microsporidia E. bieneusi and E. intestinalis were found by parasitological examination, 5.3% of HIV-infected patients were seropositive to E. cuniculi and 1.3% to E. intestinalis were found by parasitological examination, 5.3% of HIV-infected patients were seropositive to E. cuniculi and 1.3% to E. hellem antigens in the high titre of 600. All blood donors (control group) were seronegative in these titres. C. parvum oocysts were found in one AIDS patient, 10.5% patients were seropositive to C. parvum in higher titres (600, 1800). Occurrence of T. gondii antibodies was not significantly greater in HIV-seropositive patients (27.5%) than in the control group (21.4%). P. carinii was detected in 13.6% of the patients. This study shows the quite low occurrence of opportunistic parasitoses among Czech HIV-infected patients. Although the high prevalence of specific antibodies against causative agents of microsporidiosis and cryptosporidiosis was recorded, the number of clinical cases was low.
Insights
Opportunistic parasite infections, including microsporidiosis and cryptosporidiosis, are uncommon in Czech HIV patients. While many patients showed antibodies to these parasites, few had active infections, indicating low clinical disease prevalence.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunocompromised Host Research
Background:
- Opportunistic parasitic infections pose a significant threat to individuals with advanced HIV/AIDS.
- Understanding the prevalence of these infections is crucial for managing patient health in specific geographic regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence of opportunistic parasites, specifically microsporidia and Cryptosporidium, in HIV-infected patients in the Czech Republic.
- To assess the seroprevalence of antibodies against Enterocytozoon cuniculi, Encephalitozoon hellem, and Cryptosporidium parvum in this population.
Main Methods:
- Parasitological examination of stool, sputum, and urine samples using target staining techniques.
- Indirect ELISA for detecting specific antibodies against E. cuniculi, E. hellem, and C. parvum.
- Complement fixation (CF) test for detecting antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii.
Main Results:
- Microsporidia (E. bieneusi, E. intestinalis) were found in 2.1% of patients. Seropositivity was observed for E. cuniculi (5.3%) and E. hellem (1.3%).
- Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts were detected in one AIDS patient, with 10.5% seropositivity.
- Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were found in 27.5% of HIV patients, not significantly higher than controls (21.4%). Pneumocystis carinii was detected in 13.6%.
Conclusions:
- Opportunistic parasitic infections are relatively infrequent among HIV-infected patients in the Czech Republic.
- A high prevalence of specific antibodies suggests widespread exposure to microsporidia and cryptosporidia, but with a low rate of clinical manifestation.