Cyclospora infection in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Diarrhea is a common clinical manifestation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The important protozoan pathogens causing diarrhea include cryptosporidium, microsporidium, Isospora belli and cyclospora besides giardia lamblia and entamoeba histolytica.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the present study was to determine the incidence of cyclospora (a coccidian protozoan) infection in HIV infected patients.


METHODS
Faecal smears were stained by modified acid fast staining method to demonstrate oocysts of cyclospora.


RESULTS
Out of 334 faecal specimens which were studied, cyclospora were identified in 22 cases (6.6 percent); and in 50 percent of the patients, there was a mixed infection with another protozoan parasite namely cryptosporidium.


CONCLUSIONS
Identification of this parasite is important because cyclosporiasis can be treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Outbreaks of cyclospora infection have been linked to waterborne transmission. Though adequately chlorinated water is free of coliforms, it can still contain cyclospora.
Deodhar
L
L
Department of Microbiology, Bombay Hospital.
Maniar
J K
JK
Saple
D G
DG
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D021866:Cyclosporiasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology