Intestinal parasites in patients with diarrhea and human immunodeficiency virus infection in Zimbabwe.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and risk factors for infection associated with diarrhea in HIV-infected patients in Harare, Zimbabwe.


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
Single stool samples were collected from 88 HIV-infected individuals presenting with diarrhea of greater than 1 week duration. Stools were examined for intestinal parasites using modified acid fast stain, fluorescence- labeled monoclonal antibody for Cryptosporidium parvum, as well as a modified trichrome stain and a PCR-based protocol for Enterocytozoon bieneusi.


RESULTS
C. parvum was detected in 9% (seven out of 82) of samples evaluated, but no Cyclospora was detected. E. bieneusi was detected in 18% (10 out of 55) of stool by trichrome staining and in 51% (28 out of 55) of stool examined by PCR. Risk factors for E. bieneusi infection were: living in rural areas, consumption of nonpiped water, contact with cow dung and household contact with an individual with diarrhea.


CONCLUSIONS
E. bieneusi infection was common in HIV-infected patients with diarrhea in Zimbabwe and may be acquired through person-to-person and fecal-oral transmission.
Gumbo
T
T
Department of Infectious Disease, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio, USA.
Sarbah
S
S
Gangaidzo
I T
IT
Ortega
Y
Y
Sterling
C R
CR
Carville
A
A
Tzipori
S
S
Wiest
P M
PM
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000469:parasitology*; D021741:Eimeriida / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D007422:Intestines / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D016814:Microsporidia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015030:Zimbabwe