PARASITIC ENTEROPATHOGENS IN HIV SEROPOSITIVE PATIENTS IN RELATION TO CD4 COUNT AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Description

Background: Parasitic Entero pathogens causing diarrhoea is considered as one of the major health problems in HIV infected patients especially those with AIDS.  The knowledge of prevalence of these pathogens in a particular area can guide clinicians to provide early clinical management in HIV-associated diarrhea. Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to study the prevalence of parasitic enteropathogens and compare the intestinal parasitic pathogens in HIV infected diarrhoeal (acute and chronic) and in HIV infected non diarrheal patients and to elucidate the relation between CD4 counts and intestinal parasitic infections Materials and Methods: This study was conducted between Nov 2016 and November 2017 in the Department of Microbiology. Stool samples from 105 HIV seropositive cases with diarrhea and without diarrhea were examined by routine parasitological laboratory procedures. CD4 testing was done to know the CD4 cell count.  Results: Out of 105 cases of HIV seropositive cases 15 cases had acute diarrhea, 66 cases had chronic diarrhea and 24 HIV seropositive cases were without diarrhea. Enteric pathogens were detected in 48 (45.7%) number of patients. Isospora sp. was the most common parasite. Other parasites included Ancylostoma duodenale and Entamoeba histolytica. The diarrheal HIV-positive patients had lower mean CD4 counts as compared to those without diarrhea. Conclusions: Identification of the etiological agent of diarrhea in patients with HIV/ AIDS is very important as it can help in the initiation of appropriate therapy which helps in reduction of morbidity and mortality in these patients.Keywords: Prevalence; Enteric parasites acute; Chronic Diarrhea; HIV; CD4 count.