title: Enteric spore-forming opportunistic parasites in HIV / AIDS.
abstract: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection causes progressive damage to both limbs of the immune system, which results in a plethora of opportunistic infections. Among the various opportunistic infections, gastrointestinal infections are very common in HIV / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Opportunistic spore-forming protozoal parasites, namely, Cryptosporidium parvum, Isospora belli, Cyclospora cayetanensis, and Microsporidia, play a major role in causing chronic diarrhea, accompanied with weight loss, in patients with HIV / AIDS. The purpose of this review is to discuss the salient microbiological, clinical, and diagnostic aspects of important enteric spore-forming opportunistic parasites in HIV / AIDS.
authors.affiliation: Centre for AIDS and Related Diseases, National Center for Disease Control, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Rohit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chawla
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Ichhpujani
keywords: Cryptosporidium parvum; Cyclospora cayetanensis; HIV / AIDS; Isospora belli; Microsporidia; Spore-forming protozoa