PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES IN HIV-POSITIVE/AIDS PATIENTS

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites among HIV-positive/AIDS patients. A control group comprising 30 apparently healthy HIV-negative individuals was included. Of the 60 samples collected from the patients and examined, 34 (56.7%) presented with diarrhoea, while 26 (43.3%) had no reported cases of diarrhoea at the time of study. Seventeen (50%) of the parasites detected in the 34 patients (those with history of diarrhoea) were diarrhoea-related causative agents. However, 17 (50%) of the parasites detected were not diarrhoea-related causative agents. In relation to diarrhoea, Cryptosporidium parvum had the highest prevalence (10%), followed by Giardia intestinalis (8.3%), Entamoeba histolytica (6.7%), Isospora belli (3.3%) and Blastocystis hominis (3.3%) in that order. This study showed a significant prevalence (P 0.05) of intestinal parasites in HIV-positive/AIDS patient. Also, the prevalence of intestinal parasites was higher (P 0.05) in HIV-positive/AIDS patients than in HIV-negative subjects. Although the study is limited in scope, however, it does reflect the importance of evaluating the prevalence of intestinal parasites in HIV- positive/AIDS patients especially at the local level where antiretroviral therapy is not available. The results of this study thus provide vital information for health professionals who are managing these patients. This could lead to improvement in patients’ management and care.