Opportunistic and non-opportunistic parasites in HIV-positive and negative patients with diarrhoea in Tanzania.
A survey on intestinal parasites in a rural area of Tanzania revealed the presence of eight protozoa and seven helminths in 287 subjects (81.8%). The prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica and Ascaris lumbricoides was higher in HIV-negative than in HIV-positive patients (P < 0.01; P < 0.04) (25.1% and 12.5% for E. histolytica; 10.5% and 3.7% for A. lumbricoides). On the other hand, Cryptosporidium parvum, Isospora belli and Strongyloides stercoralis prevalence was higher in HIV-positive than in HIV-negative patients (P < 0.01). The prevalence of these two opportunistic protozoa was also higher in AIDS patients than in HIV-positive patients without AIDS. Specific anti-C. parvum IgG were detected by ELISA in 18% and 56% of HIV-negative and positive patients, respectively, confirming the high number of contacts between this parasite and humans. Specific anti-Encephalitozoon cuniculi and anti-Encephalitozoon hellem IgG were detected by IFA in 18% and 19% of subjects, respectively, without any correlation with HIV and malaria infections.
Laboratory of Parasitology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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MA
Gomez Morales
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Atzori
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Ludovisi
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P
Rossi
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Scaglia
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Pozio
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D017164:Ascaris lumbricoides / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002648:Child; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003967:Diarrhea; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007549:Isospora / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D013321:Strongyloides / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology
D007074:Immunoglobulin G