Aids-Associated Parasitic Diarrhoea

Abstract

Since the advent of human immunodeficiency virus infection, with its profound and progressive effect on the cellular immune system, a group of human opportunistic pathogens has come into prominence. Opportunistic parasitic infection can cause severe morbidity and mortality. Because many of these infections are treatable, an early and accurate diagnosis is important. This can be accomplished by a variety of methods such as direct demonstration of parasites and by serological tests to detect antigen and/or specific antibodies. However, antibody response may be poor in these patients and therefore immunodiagnostic tests have to be interpreted with caution. Cryptosporidium parvum, Isospora belli, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Microsporidia, Entamoeba histolytica and Strongyloides stercoralis are the commonly detected parasites. Detection of these parasites will help in proper management of these patients because drugs are available for most of these parasitic infections.

Isospora belli associated recurrent diarrhea in a child with AIDS

“…Study of HIV-infected patients showed that eosinophilia was strongly associated with isosporiasis; however higher eosinophil counts were described in I. belli infected patients without weight loss (Certad et al 2003). This finding could be described that in patients with considerable weight loss the HIV disease is more severe and defect of the immune system may involve the production of eosinophils (Arora and Arora 2009). Celiac was not confirmed in our patient, however celiac disease is one of the most frequent causes of malabsorption as reported previously (Behera et al 2008).…”

“…Isospora is worldwide distributed particularly in the tropical and subtropical regions (Arora and Arora 2009;Gupta et al 2008). Very limited information is available on isosporiasis infection from Iran, few cases were reported in a recent study of 356 HIV-positive patients (Agholi et al 2013) and as a case report (Hazrati Tappeh et al 2001).…”

“…I. belli infection in immuocompetent hosts is often associated with a selflimited watery diarrhea accompanied with abdominal pain, steatorrhea, and peripheral eosinophilia. In children, especially those with AIDS or other immunodeficiencies, clinical outcome may be more severe, characterized by dehydration, malabsorption, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, fever and malaise (Arora and Arora 2009;Mirdha et al 2002). Since coccidian parasites are important opportunistic infections in AIDS, it is crucial to have as much information as possible regarding the manifestations and management of these infections especially in children.…”

Cryptosporidium Infection and Correlation with CD4+ T-cell count among Human Immunodeficiency Virus Seropositive Patients within Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria

“…The commonly reported parasites include Cryptosporidium parvum, Isospora belli, Microsporidium spp, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba *Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-Nigeria; Tel: +234 803 328 7031; E-mail: maryamaminu@yahoo.com histolytica and Cyclospora spp. [4]. Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora and Isospora have been shown to complicate HIV infection by causing chronic diarrhoea which facilitates progression to AIDS [5][6][7][8][9][10].…”

A comparative study of various diagnostic techniques for Cryptosporidiosis

“…However, all organisms do not represent an equal threat [1]. Most of these patients die of infections other than HIV [2]. The gastrointestinal tract is the major surface where contact between man and environment takes place.…”