Jpn. J. Infect. Dis., 55, 83-84, 2002

Short Communication

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Pathogens in HIV-Seropositive Individuals in Northern India

Kava Mohandas, Rakesh Sehgal*, Archana Sud¹ and Nancy Malla

Department of Parasitology and ¹Department of Internal Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India

(Received April 10, 2002. Accepted July 26, 2002)

SUMMARY: To assess the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive subjects, fecal samples were collected from 120 HIV-seropositive patients and were analyzed for various intestinal parasites. Thirty-six patients (30%) were found to harbor an intestinal parasite. Cryptosporidium parvum was the most common (10.8%), followed by Giardia lamblia (8.3%). Cyclospora cayetanensis and Blastocystis hominis each were detected in 3.3% of the patients, while Isospora belli and Enterocytozoon bieneusi were each detected in 2.5% of the patients. The other parasites observed were Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar in two cases and hookworm ova in one patient. Of the 36 patients who tested positive for intestinal parasites, 27 (75%) had diarrhea. The most common parasite, which was associated with diarrhea, was C. parvum. The present study highlights the importance of testing for intestinal parasites in patients who are HIV-positive, and emphasizes the necessity of increasing awareness among clinicians regarding the occurrence of these parasites in this population.

*Corresponding author: Fax: +91-172-744401, E-mail: sehgalr@satyam.net.in

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