Diarrhoea-associated parasites in HIV-1 seropositive and sero-negative patients in a teaching hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.
OBJECTIVE
to determine the prevalence and type of intestinal parasites in HIV infected and uninfected patients with diarrhea.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted at Gondar University hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, between March 2003 and October 2004.


METHODS
A total 312 consecutive diarrheic patients were included in the study. Stool specimens were collected and examined for intestinal parasites following direct, formol-ether concentration and modified acid fast staining methods.


RESULTS
Among the patients, 63.8% were found to be HIV seropositive. The prevalence of intestinal parasites in HIV seropositive and seronegative diarrheic patients was 30.6% and 33.6%, respectively. The most prevalent parasites were Strongyoides stercoralis (9.0%) and Entamoeba histolytica (8.3%) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (5.4%) and Cryptosporidium species (5. 1%).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of intestinal parasites in diarrheic patients was very high. Institution of appropriate intervention measures are needed to reduce morbidity in such patients.
Andualem
Berhanu
B
Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences, University of Gondar, P.O. Box 196, com.
Kassu
Afework
A
Moges
Feleke
F
Gedefaw
Molla
M
Diro
Ermias
E
Mengistu
Getahun
G
Andargie
Gashaw
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000469:parasitology*; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence