Prevalence of intestinal parasites in HIV/AIDS-infected patients with correlation to CD4+ T-cell count at hospital in Eastern India

Abstract

Introduction: In developing nations, one of the most common reasons for death and illness is due to infections that are brought on by intestinal parasites. People who have HIV are more likely to contract parasites that are either well-established intestinal pathogens, like Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Strongyloidesstercoralis, or an opportunistic pathogen like Cryptosporidium, Isospora, Cyclospora and Microsporidia. Higher prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections occurs in patients with low CD4+ cell counts. Hence, this study had been performed to know the correlation of intestinal parasitic infection in HIV/AIDS patients with reference to CD4+ cell count. Materials and Methods: The study comprised 1477 HIV-positive patients who were treated at ART Centre of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi. All participants provided verbal informed consent before specimens were collected. Blood and stool sample were used for the identification of parasite and CD4+ T-Cell count. Results: In patients living with HIV, the prevalence of intestinal parasite infection was 12.59 per cent. In a manner parallel, the prevalence of parasitic infections was found to be 10.29% among male HIV-positive patients and 2.31% among female HIV-positive patients. Conclusions: This study has shed light that low CD4+ T-cell count appears to be a factor for intestinal parasitic infections and development of diarrhoea. Regular screening and treatment of intestinal parasitic infections is very important in overall improvement in quality of life of HIV/AIDS patients. Nevertheless, sanitary hygiene practices and deworming are needed to enhance the control of infection in the affected areas.