Intestinal parasites in human immunodeficiency virus infected patients in Kathmandu, Nepal
Abstract
There are already "concentrated" epidemics of HIV within the certain high-risk behaviour groups in Nepal. The aim of this study is to highlight the· intestinal parasites in the role of diarrhea in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-infected patients who attended in Sukra Raj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital of Kathmandu, Nepal from May 1, 2003 to April 30, 2004. The totals of 86 stool samples were collected from 86 HIV patients once and they were examined by direct smear methods and modified Kinyoun acid-fast stain. Here, 18 females (78.3%) out of 23 HIV patients and 40 males (63.4%) out of 63 patients were found to be infected with intestinal parasites with the prevalence of 67.4%. Though in August and October 2003, 100% samples were positive, there was statistically no significant difference with months (χ2=18.83, P>0.05). In this study, Cyclospora (19.8%), Cryptosporidium (14.0%), Isospora (3.5%), Strongyloides (10.5%), Ascaris (4.7%), Giardia(3.5%), Hymenolepis nana (2.3%), Trichuris trichiura (2.3%), Entamoeba histolytica (2.3%), Hookworm (2.3%) and Enterobius (2.3%) were reported with statistically significant (χ2=18.3, P<0.05). The total prevalence of coccidian and non-coccidian parasites was 37.0% and 30.2% respectively with statistically significant (χ2=15.51, P<0.05). The prevalence was found 100% in drivers. 80% in farmers, 100% in housewives and 48.9% in sex workers. Among 48 diarrheic patients, 36 (75.0%) showed infection. 17 (35.4%) was acute diarrheic among which 11(64.7%) was positive. Among 31 (64.6%) chronic diarrheic, 25 (80.6%) was positive. The control of intestinal parasites among HIV patients involves adequate treatment and proper health education, provision of adequate toilet facilities and pipe-borne water and the study of molecular mechanism of opportunistic parasites.
References
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