Molecular Epidemiologic Characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in HIV-Infected Persons in Benin City, Nigeria

Unusual Enterocytozoon bieneusi Genotypes and Cryptosporidium hominis Subtypes in HIV-Infected Patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

“…This observation is consistent with the finding of Akinbo and others 13 in HAARTnaive HIV patients. The small number of cryptosporidiosis cases has prevented us from assessing the association of cryptosporidiosis and the occurrence of diarrhea, but such an association was seen in previous reports in Nigeria.…”

“…13 In addition, male sex was not a risk factor for cryptosporidiosis occurrence in this study and previous studies. 30 The finding that CD4+ cell counts 200 cells/μL were significantly associated with E. bieneusi and Cryptosporidium infections is in agreement with many studies in HAARTnaïve HIV patients.…”

“…30 The finding that CD4+ cell counts 200 cells/μL were significantly associated with E. bieneusi and Cryptosporidium infections is in agreement with many studies in HAARTnaïve HIV patients. 1,4,5,13 In a Brazilian study of patients on HAART, the occurrence of cryptosporidiosis was also mostly in patients with CD4+ cell counts below 200 cells/μL. 31 Although HAART improves immunity, HIV patients on HAART with CD4+ cell count less than 200 cell/μL are still prone to opportunistic infections.…”

“…5,19,20 In Nigeria, molecular epidemiologic studies of E. bieneusi and Cryptosporidium in HIV-infected persons have been conducted only in Benin City. 5,13 There is a paucity of information on epidemiology of E. bieneusi and Cryptosporidium in HIV-infected persons who are on HAART in developing countries. This study was, therefore, conducted to examine the prevalence and genetic characteristics of E. bieneusi and Cryptosporidium spp.…”

“…10,11 Microsporidia and Cryptosporidium develop in enterocytes, and they are excreted in feces and transmitted by the fecal-oral route, direct contact with infected persons or animals, or ingestion of contaminated food or water. 12,13 Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been reported to reduce the prevalence of microsporidiosis in HIVinfected patients in industrialized nations. 7,14 HAART promotes the reconstitution of the immune system of HIV-infected persons, thereby reducing the occurrence of opportunistic parasitic infections.…”