A Comparative Analysis of Intestinal Parasitic Infections between HIV+/AIDS Patients and Non-HIV Infected Individuals

Abstract

The aim of this study was to verify the occurrence of intestinal parasitic infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients in Iran in comparison with non-HIV individuals. Methods: A total of HIV+/AIDS patients (Group I) and 1220 clinically healthy individuals (Group II) were submitted to coproparasitological examination from 2003 to 2005. Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites in group I and group II was 11.4% and 11.6%, respectively, without significant difference between two groups. The prevalence of infection for each helminth and pathogenic protozoan, in every group, was as follows: Group I: Blastocystis hominis (6.1%); Giardia lamblia (4.2%); Cryptosporidium spp. (0.9%); Isospora belli (0.26%); Strongyloides stercoralis (0.26%); Hymenolepis nana (0.13%); and Rhabditis axei (0.13%). Group II: Blastocystis hominis (6.5%); Giardia lamblia (4.1%); Strongyloides stercoralis (0.33%); Hymenolepis nana (0.16%); and Trichostrongylus sp. (0.16%). Although the prevalence of infection for extracellular parasites was not statistically different be- tween two groups, however, the infection rates for enteric coccidians including Cryptosporidium spp. and I. belli were significantly higher in patients at AIDS stage than Group II. Conclusion: The results emphasize the needs for especial consideration of enteropathogenic intracellular coccidians in immunocompromised patients.