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Tigest Getachew,1 Tadesse Hailu,2 Megbaru Alemu2 1Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; 2Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Tadesse Hailu Email tadessehailu89@gmail.comBackground: Coccidian parasites are opportunistic intestinal parasites that cause diarrhea in immunocompromised individuals. Although the impacts of coccidian infection are significant among HIV/AIDS infected cases, proper diagnosis and management of coccidian infection is limited in sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia.Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of coccidian parasitic infections among HIV/AIDS cases before and after commencement of antiretroviral treatment.Methods: An institution-based longitudinal study was conducted among 304 randomly selected HIV/AIDS cases from February to July 2018 before and after commencement of antiretroviral therapy. A structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and associated factors data. Stool and blood samples were collected before and three months after treatment. Coccidian detection and CD4+ count were conducted via modified acid fast stain technique and fluorescence-activated cell scanning, respectively. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics were used to compute coccidian prevalence. Logistic regression was used to compute possible association between associated factors and coccidian parasitic infection. Variables with P< 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.Results: Among 304 HIV/AIDS cases, prevalence of coccidian parasitic infection before and after antiretroviral treatment was 23.4% and 8.9%, respectively. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. (19.7%) and Isospora belli (4.3%) before antiretroviral treatment were higher than Cryptosporidium spp. (7.9%) and Isospora belli (1.0%) after treatment. Drinking unprotected water (AOR: 7.41; 95%CI: 1.64– 33.45), poor knowledge of HIV/AIDS and coccidian parasite (AOR: 4.19; 95%CI: 1.69– 10.40), and CD4+ count below 200 cells/mm3 (AOR: 62.49; 95%CI: 25.32– 154.21) were significantly associated with coccidian infection.Conclusion: Prevalence of coccidian parasites among HIV/AIDS cases decreases after antiretroviral treatment. Drinking unsafe water, limited knowledge of HIV/AIDS and coccidian parasite and low CD4+ cell count are factors associated with coccidian infection. Therefore, proper detection and treatment of coccidian parasites among HIV/AIDS cases should be prioritized.Keywords: Cryptosporidium spp., Isospora belli, antiretroviral treatment, HIV/AIDS

Objective To determine the spectrum of opportunistic as well as non-opportunistic parasitic infections in HIV/AIDS patients. Methods A total of 250 HIV sero-positive individuals are included in study. Among them, 76 clinical cases of diarrhea and 8 clinically suspected cases of toxoplasmosis were identified. Fresh stool samples were collected in a suitable container on three consecutive days and processed immediately for identification of oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum , Isospora belli and Cyclospora . Blood sample was collected from suspected cases of toxoplasmosis and tested for antitoxoplasma immunoglobulin M antibodies using immunoComb Toxo IgM test. Estimation of CD4 counts was also done by flow cytometry from these patients. Results The opportunistic parasites identified in total HIV sero-positive patients were Cryptosporidium spp. (20.8%) and Isospora belli (0.8%). While the non-opportunistic parasite identified were Entamoeba histolytica (4%), Giardia intestinalis (1.6%) and Hymenolepis nana (0.8%). Toxoplasmosis was identified in 2.4% HIV sero-positive patients. Conclusions Increasing prevalence of parasitic infections in HIV/AIDS patients suggests that simple steps such as drinking safe water, maintaining high level of environmental and personal hygiene and avoiding contact with contaminated soil are necessary to prevent the occurrence of these diseases in AIDS patients

Chronic diarrhea with a 35 kg weight loss (75 kg to 40 kg) occurred during 2 years in an alcoholic patient was diagnosed with Isospora belli infection in the Republic of Korea. The patient, a 70-year old Korean male, had been a heavy drinker for more than 30 years. He was admitted to the Seoul National University Hospital because of long-standing diarrhea and severe weight loss. He had an increased white blood cell (WBC) count with high peripheral blood eosinophilia (36.8-39.9%) and lowered protein and albumin levels but without any evidence of immunosuppression. A parasitic infection was suspected and fecal examination was repeated 3 times with negative results. Peroral endoscopy with mural biopsy was performed in the upper jejunum. The biopsy specimens revealed villous atrophy with loss of villi together with various life cycle stages of I. belli, including trophozoites, schizonts, merozoites, macrogamonts, and microgamonts. The patient was treated successfully with oral doses of trimethoprim 160-320 mg and sulfamethoxazole 800-1,600 mg daily for 4 weeks. A follow-up evaluation at 2.5 years later revealed marked improvement of body weight (68 kg), increased protein and albumin levels, and normal WBC count with low eosinophils (3.1%). This is the first clinical case of isoporiasis with demonstration of various parasitic stages in the Republic of Korea.

Isospora belli infection is frequent in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in tropical areas. It has also been reported in other immunodepressive diseases, such as lymphoblastic leukemia, adult T-cell leukemia, and Hodgkin's disease. To date, no case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma-related isosporiasis has been reported in a non-HIV-infected patient. We describe a case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with chronic diarrhea due to I. belli. In Europe, I. belli can cause severe chronic diarrhea in patients with malignancies whose country of origin is in an endemic area. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole can provide rapid and prolonged clinical and parasitologic cure.

A total of 450 stool samples were collected from inpatient and outpatient clinics of Pediatric Department, Minia University Hospital, Minia District, Egypt. Two groups of patients were studied, including 200 immunosuppressed and 250 immunocompetent children. Stool samples were subjected to wet saline and iodine mounts. A concentration technique (formol-ether sedimentation method) was carried out for stool samples diagnosed negative by wet saline and iodine mounts. Samples were stained by 2 different methods; acid fast stain (modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain) and Giemsa stain. Total 188 cases (94%) were diagnosed positive for parasitic infections among immunosuppressed children, whereas 150 cases (60%) were positive in immunocompetent children (P

La isosporosis es una infección parasitaria provocada por protozoos del género Isospora, coccidio que afecta con diversas especies a diferentes vertebrados, entre los que se encuentra el ser humano. Es una infección poco frecuente en nuestro país y no constituye una zoonosis. Se presentan dos casos con infección por Isospora belli en pacientes infectados con el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana procedentes de la Región de Valparaíso. Se analizan las manifestaciones producidas por este agente, la epidemiología de la infección, los casos publicados en la literatura nacional e internacional, así como su tratamiento y las medidas de prevención.

Patients with AIDS are particularly susceptible to infection with intestinal coccidia. In this study the prevalence of infections with Cryptosporidium sp and Cystoisospora belli were evaluated among HIV/AIDS patients in the Triângulo Mineiro region, Brazil. Between July 1993 and June 2003 faecal samples from 359 patients were collected and stained by a modified Ziehl-Neelsen method, resulting in 19.7% of positivity for coccidian (8.6% with Cryptosporidium sp, 10.3% with Cystoisospora belli and 0.8% with both coccidian). Patients with diarrhoea and T CD4+ lymphocyte levels < 200 cells/mm3 presented higher frequency of these protozoans, demonstrating the opportunistic profile of these infections and its relationship with the immunological status of the individual. It was not possible to determine the influence of HAART, since only 8.5% of the patients positive for coccidian received this therapy regularly. Parasitism by Cryptosporidium sp was more frequent between December and February and thus was characterised by a seasonal pattern of infection, which was not observed with Cystoisospora belli. Pacientes com AIDS são particularmente susceptíveis a infecção por coccídios intestinais e nesse estudo foi avaliada a freqüência de Cryptosporidium sp. e Cystoisospora belli entre pacientes HIV/AIDS na região do Triângulo Mineiro, Brasil. No período de julho de 1993 a junho de 2003, amostras de fezes de 359 pacientes foram submetidas à coloração pelo método de Ziehl-Neelsen modificado, sendo detectada a presença de coccídios em 19,7% destas (8,6% de Cryptosporidium sp, 10,3% de Cystoisospora belli e 0,8% de ambos coccídios). Pacientes com diarréia e níveis de linfócitos T CD4+ < 200 células/mm3 apresentaram maior frequência destes protozoários, demonstrando o perfil oportunista destas infecções e a relação com o status imunológico do indivíduo. Não foi possível determinar a influência da HARRT, pois apenas 8,5% dos pacientes positivos para coccídios fazriam uso regular desta terapia. Parasitismo por Cryptosporidium sp foi mais freqüente no período compreendido de dezembro a fevereiro caracterizando padrão sazonal desta infecção, fato não observado com Cystoisospora belli.

Isospora belli is an opportunistic protozoan causing wasting diarrhea especially in patients with an immunocompromised status. Diagnosis is usually established by demonstrating the oocyst of the organism on stool examination, which however can often be inconclusive. Serological tests for isosporiasis are currently not available. In such a scenario, biopsy often provides evidence for a confirmatory diagnosis. We describe two such cases, in which intestinal biopsy was the only diagnostic evidence of isosporiasis as the cause for chronic diarrhea.

One of the major health problems among HIV seropositive patients is superimposed infection due to the defect of immunity. Furthermore, intestinal parasite infection, for example, Isospora belli. The infection for this parasite is more frequent in tropical and sub-tropical climate areas. In the Brazil studies they were accomplished in Ribeirao Preto/SP´s city, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Santos/SP e Campinas/SP, which presented high levels of isosporosis. In this study, 422 feces stool examination was performed and the patients were screened for a history of diarrhea, which was defined as loose stool occurring more than three times a day and interns in the Giselda Trigueiro hospital in the Natal city - Brazil, which revealed a distribution of 13.3% of the I. belli compared to the data of Africa countries (8 -20%), probably due to the humid climate and the satisfactory few resources found in these areas

Un estudio fue realizado en relación a establecer la presencia de parásitos intestinales en 35 pacientes infectados con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH), desde julio 1997 a octubre 1998, admitidos en el Hospital Universitario "Ruiz y Páez" de Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela. Parásitos fueron detectados en heces usando diversos métodos para la investigación de protozoos y hemintos, concentración éter-formalina, tinción de Kinyoung y tricromico. Edad, sexo, estado clínico de la infección de VIH fueron registrados para cada participante del estudio. Todos los pacientes presentaron diarrea crónica. En 20 pacientes infectados con VIH (57%), uno o más parásitos intestinales fueron encontrados. Los protozoos más frecuentemente encontrados fueron: Blastocystis hominis (28,6%), Cryptosporidium sp. (22,8%) e Isospora belli (2,9%). Microsporidia no fueron detectados. Estos datos enfatizan la importancia de los portozoos oportunistas en pacientes infectados con VIH.

Background: To determine the prevalence of Isospora belli and its correlation with CD4+ cell counts in HIV-positive patients with diarrhea in this region. Materials and Methods: Stool samples from 250 HIV-positive patients, including 200 with diarrhea and 50 without diarrhea included in the study were examined for the presence of enteric parasites under microscopy. Prevalence of the enteric parasites with special reference to I. belli in HIV-positive patients with and without diarrhea were calculated and correlated with their CD4+ cell counts. Results: Enteric parasites were detected in 39% of the HIV patients with diarrhea compared to 30% without diarrhea. I. belli was detected in 22% of the patients with diarrhea and in 4% without diarrhea (P = 0.0019). I. belli was the most common parasite, followed by Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (8%) and Cryptosporidium parvum (5%) in HIV-positive patients with diarrhea. In HIV-positive patients without diarrhea, the most common parasite detected was E. histolytica/dispar (12%) followed by C. parvum (6%) and I. belli (4%). The mean CD4 cell count of HIV-positive patients with diarrhea suffering from isosporiasis was 138.35 ± 70.71. In patients with CD4 cell counts

Background: Diarrhea is one of the most common presenting complaints in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals. Aims: The study was designed to determine the magnitude of opportunistic and nonopportunistic intestinal parasitic infections among diarrheal patients and association between CD4 + T-cell counts and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected intestinal parasites. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 207 enrolled diarrheal patients attending HIV integrated counseling and testing center from January 2012 to December 2012. Stool samples were subjected to special modified Ziehl-Neelsen and chromotrope staining method for detection of opportunistic protozoans. Blood samples were also collected from all study subjects for HIV testing and CD4 + T-cell counts were estimated by only in HIV-infected patients. Results: Intestinal parasitic pathogens were detected in 46.1% HIV-infected patients and the major pathogens were opportunistic protozoans 32.2% (37/115), most common being Isospora belli 16.5% (19/115) followed by Cryptosporidium parvum 12.2% (14/115). In HIV noninfected diarrheal patients, major pathogens detected were Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar 8.7% (8/92) and Ascaris lumbricoides 3.3% (3/92). Conclusions: The opportunistic intestinal protozoans especially I. belli and C. parvum were most commonly isolated in HIV-infected patients with diarrhea. Majority of the infections occurred in patients when a CD4 + T-cell counts were less than 200 cells/μl.