title: Prevalence of intestinal parasites among HIV/AIDS patients attending Infectious Disease Hospital Kano, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intestinal parasitic infection has been a major source of morbidity in tropical countries especially among HIV patients. The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of intestinal parasites and its association with immunological status and risk factors among HIV infected patients in Kano, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  105 HIV+ subjects and 50 HIV- controls were recruited into the studies from June to December 2010. Clinical information was collected using a questionnaire. Single stool and venous blood samples were collected from each subject. Stool examination and CD4+ count were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of intestinal parasites was 11.4% and 6% among the HIV+ and control subjects respectively with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.389). Specifically, the following intestinal parasites were isolated from HIV+ subjects: Entamoebahistolytica (5.7%), hookworm (3.8%), Entamoeba coli (1%), Blastocystishominis (1%). Only Entamoebahistolytica was isolated among the control subjects. The mean CD4+ count of HIV+ and control subjects was 287 cells/ul and 691 cells/µl respectively while the median was 279(Q1-120, Q3-384) cell/µl and 691(Q1-466, Q3-852) cell/µl respectively with statistically significant difference (P= 0.021). Diarrhea and the absence of anti-parasitic therapy seem to be important risk factors associated with the occurrence of intestinal parasites among HIV+ subjects. A higher prevalence (14.5%) of intestinal parasites was observed in subject with CD4+ count 350 cell/µl.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Routine examination for intestinal parasites should be carried out for better management of HIV/AIDS patients.
authors.affiliation: Family Health International (FHI 360), Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ebenezer Feyisayo
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Jegede
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Esther Tinuade Ibijoke
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Oyeyi
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria.
authors.forename: ArmaYau Hamisu
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Bichi
authors.affiliation: Family Health International (FHI 360), Nigeria.
authors.forename: Henry Akwen
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Mbah
authors.affiliation: Family Health International (FHI 360), Nigeria.
authors.forename: Kwasi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Torpey
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence
keywords: CD4+ count; HIV/AIDS; intestinal parasites