The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis and other intestinal protozoa infections among HIV patients in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis and other intestinal protozoa infections amongst HIV patients seen at Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, was studied between March 2006 and April 2007. Stool samples were collected in sterile screw cap
bottles from 1,202 male and female respondents aged 1 to 50 years. The samples were brought to the Parasitology Laboratory, Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, and examined by direct wet mount and concentration technique. The findings
showed that 1,021 (84.94%) were infected with Cryptosporidium species and other intestinal protozoa. Of this number, 890 (74.04%) had mixed infection while 131 (10.90%) had single infection of cryptosporidiosis or other intestinal protozoa. The highest prevalence of infection (92.75% males and 89.11% females) was observed amongst male patients aged 1-10 years, while the least (78.31%) was observed amongst patients aged 21-30 years. This study showed that impaired immunity exacerbated by HIV infection could lead to increased incidence of cryptosporidiosis and other intestinal parasites.

Keywords: Cryptosporidiosis, intestinal protozoa, HIV patients.

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 29 (1) 2008 pp. 50-55