Cryptosporidium infection in undernourished children with HIV/AIDS in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: AIDS and Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) severely impair the immune system Cryptosporidium has over the last two decades emerged as a life threatening disease. The study attempts to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in malnourished children with HIV/AIDS.


Method: Blood and stool samples of 52 HIV-seropositive children and another 52 HIV-sero-negative children aged 0-5 years were collected and screened for HIV and Cryptosporidium oocysts respectively. The sera were screened by double ELISA and the stool by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen method.


Results: Out of the 52 HIV-seropositive undernourished, under-five children, none (0%) excreted Cryptosporidium oocyst in their stools while 2 (3.8%) of the control group excreted the oocyst.


Conclusion: Cryptosporidium infection seems to be uncommon among undernourished under five children with HIV/AIDS in Jos.


Key Words: Cryptosporidium, children, HIV/AIDS, undernutrition


Annals of African Medicine Vol.3(2) 2004: 80-82