Epidemiology of Coccidian Parasites in HIV Patients of Northern Uganda
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Date
2015-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SCIENCEDOMAIN international
Abstract
Aim: The epidemiology of coccidian parasites in HIV patients of sub-sahara Africa is poorly
understood. This study aimed at determining the epidemiology of coccidian parasites and their
associated risk factors. This was a cross sectional study carried out in Arua district in West Nile
region of Northern Uganda for a period of five months.
Materials and Methods: Participants in the study included HIV positive patients presenting with
diarrhea. A total of 111 patients were included and classified into children, middle aged and adults.
A structured questionnaire was administered, stool samples were obtained using sterile stool
containers and laboratory analysis carried out using modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique (ZN). Ethical
clearance was acquired and the consent of the patients was sought.
Results and Discussion: Prevalence of Coccidian parasites among HIV patients was found to be
5.4% and Cryptosporidium parvum showed more prevalence than Isospora belli and Cyclospora
cayatenensis i.e. (3.6%), (1.8%) and (0.0%) respectively. Most Cryptosporidium parvum infections
occurred in children (13.6%) compared to adults (3.3%); with a significant relationship of (p = 0.02).
The infection was higher in females (7.1%) than males (2.4%) (p = 0.19). The major risk factors
associated with the disease were mainly consumption of contaminated and un-boiled water from
taps and boreholes.
HIV patients who took co-trimoxazole and drunk boiled water were shown to have a low
prevalence of coccidian parasites of 1.9% and 2.6% respectively (p<0.05). This is because cotrimoxazole
is a prophylactic drug for opportunistic infections and proper boiling of drinking water
kills coccidian parasites.
Conclusion and Recommendations: The study highlighted the importance and need to screen
for coccidian parasites and emphasis on regular taking of prophylactic treatment as a way of
controlling opportunistic infections in HIV patients. Future prevalence studies of Coccidia amongst
healthy, HIV sero-negative children and adults of similar age groups in similar settings are
recommended to ratify the relationship.
Description
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Keywords
Epidemiology of coccidia in humans, Coccidiain HIV patients, Coccidiarisk factors, Cryptosporidium in Uganda, Diarrhea in HIV patients, HIV/AIDS, Uganda, Infectious Diseases