title: Isosporiasis in a tertiary care center of North India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cystoisospora (Isospora) belli is a coccidian, protozoan parasite that resides in the gastrointestinal tract of humans. It is mainly reported from HIV-positive individuals. However, a few cases have been reported in other immunosuppressed individuals including renal transplant patients, and those with lymphoma and leukemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a period of 5 years (2008-2012), approximately 1700 stool samples of immunosuppressed patients were screened for the presence of opportunistic parasitic infections by a modified acid fast staining technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 41 C. belli were reported, out of which 30 were HIV-positive individuals while 11 were HIV negative. The latter individuals were also immunosuppressed due to prolonged use of steroids or other immunosuppressive drugs. Twenty-six out of 30 HIV-positive patients and all the HIV-negative individuals with C. belli infection had diarrhea.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All immunosuppressed individuals should be examined for the presence of opportunistic coccidian parasitic infections and treated accordingly and alternatively, isolation of opportunistic parasites should trigger a hunt for immunocompromised state to reduce the morbidity and mortality in such patients.
authors.forename: Neha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gautam
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Sumeeta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khurana
authors.forename: Aman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sehgal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007194:India; D021865:Isosporiasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D021745:Sarcocystidae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D055815:Young Adult