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International Journal of Recent Trends in Science and Technology, ISSN 2277-2812 E-ISSN: 2249-8109

Volume 11, Issue 3, July 2014 pp 277-281

Research Article

Study of intestinal parasites in HIV infected patients with chronic diarrhoea and their association with CD4 T-cell count and Anti-Retroviral Therapy

Munde Bhausaheb A.¹, Shrikhande Sunanda N.², Surywanshi Namdev M.³, Lawhale Madhuri A.⁴

^{1, 3}Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, MIMSR Medical College, Latur -413512,Maharashtra, INDIA.

²Associate Professor^, Department of Microbiology, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur- 440018, Maharashtra, INDIA.

Introduction: Chronic parasitic diarrhoea is a major problem in HIV patients. The frequency of enteric parasites varies at different immune level and from region to region. Against this background an attempt was made to identify the pattern of enteric parasites in HIV positive patients with chronic diarrhoea and their association with CD4 counts and ART. Materials and Methods: A total 208 stool samples were collected and examined for enteric parasites by microscopy and special staining methods. HIV testing was carried out as per NACO guidelines and CD4 T-cell counts were estimated by FACS count system. Observations and Results: Out of total 208, enteric parasites were detected in 108 (51.92%) stool samples. Protozoan parasites (46.63%) predominated over helminths (5.28%). Opportunistic parasites such as Cryptosporidium spp., Cyclospora spp., Isospora spp.were detected in 80 (38.46%) and non-opportunistic parasites such as E. histolytica, G. lamblia, S. stercoralis, A. lumbricoides, A. duodenale and Taenia spp. were detected in 28 (13.46%) stool samples. Most common parasite found was Cryptosporidium spp. in 57 (27.40%) stool samples. Opportunistic parasites were significantly high in patients with CD4 count < 200 cells/µl and who were not taking ART. Conclusion: Chronic diarrhoea in HIV positive patients with CD4 counts <200 cells/μl has high probability of association with intestinal parasitic infections. Cryptosporidial diarrhoea is the major problem in these patients in our area. Pattern of infections often guide the clinician about appropriate management of opportunistic infections and is as important as antiretroviral therapy (ART) in preventing mortality and morbidity among HIV-infected persons.