Prevalence of intestinal parasites in HIV seropositive patients in infectious diseases Hospital, Kano (IDH)

It has been increasingly recognized that enteric protozoan parasites are important in immunocompromised individuals. These pathogens tend to aid disease progression or otherwise in such individuals. The association between intestinal parasites and HIV seropositive subjects in IDH was evaluated using fresh stool samples from 106 patients and 3op controls. Samples collected included both male and female in age ranges of 15-50. Stool samples were examined microscopically for consistency, presence of blood, mucus and adult worms. Microscopic examination was done using fresh mounts, ether-formalin sedimentation technique and modified Ziehl – Beelsen stain. Blastocystis hominis, Isospora belli were detected in 1 (2.6%) each while Cyclospora cayentanensis and Cryptosporidium parvum were detected in 2 (5.1%) and 4 (10.3) respectively in HIV infected patients with chronic diarrhoea. Entamoeba histolytica and Giada lambia were also associated with HIV patients with diarrhoea but were not exclusive with diarrhoea or HIV status. Diarrhoea is associated with intestinal parasites in HIV infected persons (P < 0.01). HIV, diarrhoea and presence of parasites are related.