Higher seroprevalence of Entamoeba histolytica infection is associated with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in Taiwan.
We assessed the seroprevalence of Entamoeba histolytica infection using indirect hemagglutination antibody (IHA) assay among 667 HIV-infected persons (group A), 1,311 asymptomatic HIV-uninfected persons seeking anonymous HIV testing (group B), 616 HIV-uninfected controls with gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea and/or liver abscess) seeking medical care (group C), and 2,500 healthy controls undergoing health check-up (group D). An IHA titer >or= 128 was detected in 7.1% of group A, 2.5% of group B, 1.8% of group C, and 0.1% of group D (P < 0.0001). The highest seroprevalence (11.2%) was noted among HIV-infected persons who were men having sex with men (MSM) 30-39 years of age. Compared with persons with gastrointestinal symptoms, the adjusted odds ratio for having high IHA titers among HIV-infected persons was 3.206 (95% confidence interval, 1.433, 7.176; P = 0.005). These findings show that HIV-infected persons, especially MSM 30-39 years of age, are at significantly higher risk of E. histolytica infection.
Tsai
Jih-Jin
JJ
Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Sun
Hsin-Yun
HY
Ke
Liang-Yin
LY
Tsai
Keh-Sung
KS
Chang
Sui-Yuan
SY
Hsieh
Szu-Min
SM
Hsiao
Chin-Fu
CF
Yen
Jeng-Hsien
JH
Hung
Chien-Ching
CC
Chang
Shan-Chwen
SC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000276:immunology*; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015497:HIV-1; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan