Opportunistic and non-opportunistic parasites in HIV-positive and negative patients with diarrhoea in Tanzania

Trop Med Parasitol. 1995 Jun;46(2):109-14.

Abstract

A survey on intestinal parasites in a rural area of Tanzania revealed the presence of eight protozoa and seven helminths in 287 subjects (81.8%). The prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica and Ascaris lumbricoides was higher in HIV-negative than in HIV-positive patients (P < 0.01; P < 0.04) (25.1% and 12.5% for E. histolytica; 10.5% and 3.7% for A. lumbricoides). On the other hand, Cryptosporidium parvum, Isospora belli and Strongyloides stercoralis prevalence was higher in HIV-positive than in HIV-negative patients (P < 0.01). The prevalence of these two opportunistic protozoa was also higher in AIDS patients than in HIV-positive patients without AIDS. Specific anti-C. parvum IgG were detected by ELISA in 18% and 56% of HIV-negative and positive patients, respectively, confirming the high number of contacts between this parasite and humans. Specific anti-Encephalitozoon cuniculi and anti-Encephalitozoon hellem IgG were detected by IFA in 18% and 19% of subjects, respectively, without any correlation with HIV and malaria infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / epidemiology*
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / parasitology*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Ascaris lumbricoides / isolation & purification
  • Child
  • Cryptosporidium parvum / isolation & purification
  • Diarrhea*
  • Entamoeba histolytica / isolation & purification
  • HIV Seronegativity*
  • HIV Seropositivity / complications
  • HIV Seropositivity / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Isospora / isolation & purification
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parasitic Diseases / complications
  • Parasitic Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Prevalence
  • Strongyloides / isolation & purification
  • Tanzania / epidemiology

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G