AEGiS-15IAC: Spectrum of parasitic pathogens in AIDS related diarrhea in a tertiary care hospital, Belgaum, India.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Spectrum of parasitic pathogens in AIDS related diarrhea in a tertiary care hospital, Belgaum, India.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. C10433)

Mutnal MB, Nagamoti MB, Patil CS
J N Medical College, Belgaum, India

BACKGROUND: Intestinal opportunistic parasitic infections in HIV infected subjects present commonly as diarrhea. This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in HIV seropositive patients in a tertiary care hospital.

METHOD: The study was undertaken during July 2001 to June 2003 in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory of KLE's Hospital & Medical Research Center, Belgaum, India. Two hundred sero-positive patients from In-Patient and Out-Patient Departments of Internal Medicine and Allied specialties of the hospital were included in the present study. Fecal samples were collected from HIV sero-positive and control group in 10% buffered formalin in clean container and were subjected to concentration by formol ether sedimentation technique. Specimens were examined as wet Saline & Iodine mounts for detection of Trophozoites, Cysts, Ova and Larvae. A modified version of Z N technique was used for staining of Coccidia.

RESULTS: Ninety-six (48%) patients had a history of diarrhea. Remaining 48 (46%) patients had a history of episodic diarrhea in the recent past. Among 200 patients studied, 90(45%) were found to harbor an intestinal parasite. Cryptosporidium parvum was the most commonest (36%) followed by Isospora bellii (27%). Microsporidium, Cyclospora were detected in 9% of patients. Other common parasites include E. histolytica, Giardia lamblia, A. lumbricoides and Strongloides stercoralis. Of the 50 control samples tested G.lamblia was detected in 3 patients (6%) and E. histolytica in 2 (4%) subjects.

CONCLUSION: The present study highlights importance of testing for intestinal parasites in HIV- sero positive patients and emphasizes the necessity of increasing awareness among clinicians regarding the occurrence of these parasites in this population. Knowledge of the infection can often guide therapy when resource limitations hamper the exact diagnosis of the etiological agent in HIV associated diarrhea.

Keywords: AEGIS, Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic, Prevalence, HIV Seropositivity, Diarrhea, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Feces, Protozoa, Cyclospora, Giardia lamblia, Isospora, India, Animal, Humans, parasitology

040711
C10433