Study of Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Isospora species among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients and its correlation with CD4 count.

Dr Kishor Ingole; Dr Suwarna Pawar; Dr Ashwini Jadhav; Dr N.K.Shaikh

Volume : V, Issue : I, January - 2016

Study of Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Isospora species among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients and its correlation with CD4 count.

Dr Kishor Ingole, Dr Suwarna Pawar, Dr Ashwini Jadhav, Dr N. K. Shaikh

Abstract :

Intestinal parasitic infection is a common entity in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Diarrhoea is a common complication of infection with HIV leading to weight loss and cachexia. Cryptosporidium parvum is a major cause of diarrhoea in developing countries, mainly affecting children and HIV infected individuals with low CD4 counts. The infection is self limiting in immunocompetent hosts but can be severe and persist in the immunocompromised and malnourished individuals. Objectives: To identify oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum, Cyclospora caytenesis and Isospora belli in stool sample of HIV positive patients and its correlation with CD4 count of patient. Material and Methods: Prospective study was conducted in which stool samples from 62 HIV positive patients were collected and routine microscopy was performed and for coccidian parasites modified acid fast staining (Kinyoun method) was used. The CD4 count of each patient was done by BD FACS machine with flowcytrometry technique. Results: Out of 62 stool sample, 36 patients were symptomatic while 26 were asymptomatic. Total 40 patients were positive for all enteric parasite out of these 35 patients were positive for Cryptosporidium parvum, 8 for Cyclospora caytenesis and 3 for Isospora belli. Enteric parasites were detected in 67.5% HIV–infected patients with CD4 count <200 cells/μl in which Cryptosporidium parvum (56.45%) was the most common parasite with CD4 count <200 cells/μl, followed by Cyclospora Species (12.9%) and Isospora belli (4.8%). Conclusion: In a developing country like India it is very easy to prevent all of these parasitic diseases which were commonly seen in AIDS patient. This can be done by drinking pure water, avoiding contact with contaminated soil and also by giving education about practicing personal hygiene, proper food preparation, private good sanitation facility and taking timely and appropriate prophylactic measures.