Cryptosporidium and Strongyloides stercoralis infections among people with and without HIV infection and efficiency of diagnostic methods for Strongyloides in Yirgalem Hospital, southern Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundCryptosporidiosis and strongyloidiasis have been reported to be associated with HIV/AIDS. The present study was designed to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Strongyloides stercoralis infections among people with and without HIV infection and also assess the efficient methods for detection of Strongyloides.FindingsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Yirgalem Hospital, southern Ethiopia from March, 2007 to October, 2007. Demographic data and stool samples were collected from 384 individuals (192 from each HIV serogroup). Samples were processed using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique for detection of Cryptosporidium species. Stool samples were also processed using the direct saline mount, the formol-ether and the water-emergence techniques for diagnosis of S. stercoralis. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium and S. stercoralis among HIV infected individuals was 25% and 12.0%, respectively. HIV positive individuals had significantly higher rate of infection with Cryptosporidium (OR = 15.7; 95% CI 5.5 to 44.5) and S. stercoralis (OR = 6.4; 95% CI 2.2 to 18.9). Among the three diagnostic methods, the larvae of S. stercoralis were more efficiently detected by the water-emergence technique.ConclusionsIn this study, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and S. stercoralis infections was significantly higher among people with HIV/AIDS. Educating HIV infected individuals to prevent acquisition of Cryptosporidium infection and screening for S. stercoralis using the water-emergence technique is likely to be helpful.

Strongyloides Stercoralis and Its Risk Factors: An Experience at a Tertiary Care Hospital

“…Strongyloides stercoralis infestation rates vary widely between studies due to the differences in the source of study participants (Hospital-based, refugee camps and community studies) and sensitivity of the diagnostic tests. (8) (12)(13)(14) Our reports on the prevalence matches with reports from various parts of the world. (5)(6)(7) We also found out that a large number of infested patients were males corroborating a recent report by Azira et al (15) More likelihood of alcohol consumption, eating behaviour and outside activities may be plausible reasons for the noted gender difference in the infestation rate.…”

A study of utilization pattern, efficacy and safety of drugs prescribed for opportunistic infections in Human Immunodeficiency Virus infected patients

“…Diarrhea of parasitic origin is more frequent in AIDS patients in developing countries [17] and accordingly, nitazoxanide was frequently prescribed to these patients. However, the role of nitazoxanide in the management of cryptosporidial diarrhea is not clear.…”

A case of fatal gastrointestinal haemorrhage due to hyperinfection with Strongyloides stercoralis

“…Hyperinfection and disseminated infections may be lethal in immunosuppressed patients as transplant recipients and patients under corticosteroid treatment. Even short courses of steroids in immunocompetent patients have led to hyperinfection syndrome and death Ghosh and Ghosh (2007) and (Getaneh et al 2010).…”