title: Intestinal parasites in HIV-seropositive patients in the Continental Region of Equatorial Guinea: its relation with socio-demographic, health and immune systems factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in HIV-positive people and its association with clinical and socioeconomic factors has been investigated on the mainland of Equatorial Guinea, in order to define the precise measures for improvement of their quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  In August 2010, 273 HIV-positive and 60 HIV-negative were recruited. A sample of faeces, T-CD4+ cell counts, and clinical, socioeconomic and demographic data were collected from each patient. Stool samples were analysed by microscopy and immunochromatography. Data were analysed by Pearson's χ2 test and the risk of each factor was measured by odds ratio bivariate analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and ten (76.9%) HIV-positive participants were infected by intestinal parasites and 16 parasite species were identified; 246 (48.9%) were pathogenic helminths, 159 (22.9%) pathogenic protozoa and 142 (28.2%) opportunistic protozoa. Trichuris trichiura, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii, Ascaris lumbricoides and Giardia duodenalis were the most prevalent parasites; 52 (86.7%) of HIV-negative participants were parasitized. HIV was related to co-infection by Entamoeba spp., E. nana and Blastocystis hominis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high rates of parasitic infections found highlights the urgent need of environmental sanitation, health education and water distribution actions, as well as early diagnosis and treatment of intestinal parasites.
authors.affiliation: Area of Parasitology, Department of Microbiology, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, C/Domingo Miral s/n, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain.
authors.forename: Margarita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roka
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Goñi
authors.forename: Encarnación
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rubio
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clavel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D060085:Coinfection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016703:Equatorial Guinea / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene / Q000592:standards; D007223:Infant; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Equatorial Guinea; Evironmental sanitation; HIV; Intestinal parasites; Socioeconomic factors