Prevalence of Cryptosporidium Species in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Presenting with Diarrhoea in Lagos

Abstract

Cryptosporidium is said to cause diarrhoea in HIV / AIDS patients. The study was done to determine the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in Lagos. Stool samples were collected from 193 HIV positive and 200 HIV negative (control) patients presenting with diarrhoea at LUTH. The patient or a close relative filled a questionnaire covering demographic and other relevant information. Fresh stool specimens were processed using direct stool smear and formol-ether concentration methods. Permanently stained slides were prepared by Kinyoun acid-fast stain.
Cryptosporidium was found in 36 (18.7%) of HIV positive patients and none in the control. More males than females were affected, 26 (24.8%) of 105 males as against 10 (11.8%) of 87 females. Isolation rates were highest in patients with CD4+ lymphocyte counts of 201-250 cells/ml, falling to zero in patients with CD4+ counts above 351cells/ml. Cryptosporidium is a relatively common cause of diarrhoea in HIV/AIDS patients.


Keywords: Cryptosporidium, Prevalence, HIV/AIDS.

NQJHM Vol. 16 (2) 2006: pp. 49-52