Intestinal apicomplexan parasitoses among a hospital-based population in Honduras, 2013-2019

Abstract

Introduction: Intestinal apicomplexa protozoa are a recognized cause of gastroenteritis. They are endemic in Honduras and their epidemiology varies in different population groups.Objective: To identify risk factors for cyclosporiasis, cryptosporidiosis, and cystoisosporiasis.Materials and methods: We conducted a case-control study in a hospital-based population. We performed the diagnosis using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique and collected the information from laboratory records and clinical charts. Results: Cyclosporiasis was associated with diarrhea (OR=2.28; 95%CI: 1.10-4.89), weight loss (OR=12.7; 95%CI: 2.49-122.00), watery stools (OR=2.42; 95%CI: 1.26-4.65),and infection with another protozoan (OR=3.13; 95%CI: 1.66-5.95). Cryptosporidiosis was associated with HIV infection (OR=15.43; 95%CI: 3.34-71.22), diarrhea (OR=3.52; 95%CI: 1.40-9.40), lymphopenia (OR=6.16; 95%CI: 1.99-18.98), and green color stools (OR=3.00; 95%CI: 1.23-7.30). Cystoisosporiasis was associated with HIV infection (OR=11.20; 95%CI: 3.53-35.44), diarrhea (OR=7.30; 95%CI: 1.89-28.52), leukopenia (OR=4.28; 95%CI: 1.33-13.75), green color stools (OR=11.59; 95%CI: 1.16-558.60), and Charcot-Leyden crystals (OR=11.59; 95%CI: 1.16-558.60).Conclusions: In this hospital-based population from Honduras, HIV infection was a risk factor for cryptosporidiosis and cystoisosporiasis, but not for cyclosporiasis.