Opportunistic Intestinal Protozoan Parasites among HIV Positive Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy at Nekemte Hospital, West Ethiopia
Background and aim: Opportunistic protozoan infections are among the most serious infections in patients with AIDS. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of ART on opportunistic intestinal protozoan infections in HIV/AIDS patients.
Patients and Methods: HIV/AIDS patients that had not begun ART and those that were on-ART at Nekemte Hospital, West
Ethiopia were included. Stool specimens were collected from 296 HIV/AIDS patients (94 pre-ART and 202 on-ART) and processed using modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining for Cryptosporidium parvum and Isospora belli and Uvitex-2B staining method for microsporidia. CD4+ T-cell count was determined by using FACS analysis or flow cytometry.
Results: Out of the 296 study participants examined, 41 (13.9 %) and 14 (4.7 %) were positive for intestinal cryptosporidiosis and isosporiosis, respectively. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was detected in 7(4.8%) of the 145 participants examined. C. parvum
17(21.3%), I. belli 8(10%) and microsporidia 5(11.6%) were more common in pre-ART diarrhoeal patients than those on-ART.
The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis, isosporiosis and microsporidiosis among pre-ART study participants was significantly higher than those on-ART (P<0.05). A large majority of diarrhoeal AIDS patients infected with intestinal cryptosporidiosis and isosporiosis were in stage III of the WHO HIV/AIDS staging. An increase in CD4+ T-cell count was observed with increase in the number of months of ART.
Conclusion: The results of this study show that intervention with HAART decreases the prevalence of opportunistic intestinal protozoan parasites by improving the immune status of the patients and hence would enhance the health and well-being of HIV/
AIDS patients under the Ethiopian nutritional and health service system.
Keywords
Authors
How to Cite
Download Citation
License
Copyright © 2008 The Author(s)
Similar Articles
- Fantahun Sirata, Mebrate Dufera, Girmaye Kenasa, Sero-prevalence of HBV and associated factors among HIV positive adults attending ART clinic at Nekemte Specialized hospital, Nekemte, Western Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 13 No. 2 (2023)
- Yesuf Adem, Abebe Muche, Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in Metema District Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 2 (2010)
- Afework Kassu, Masayuki Fujino, Masako Nishizawa, Getahun Mengistu, Ermias Diro, Belete Ayele, Dereje Ketema, Feleke Moges, Andargachew Mulu, Gizachew Yismaw, Kahsay Huruy, Ebba Abate, Assefa Getachew, Moges Tiruneh, Yared Wondmikun, Wataru Sugiura, Fusao Ota, Levels of serum HIV-1 RNA viral load in tuberculosis patients with or without intestinal parasites during treatment of tuberculosis in Gondar, Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 1 No. 1 (2008)
- Bogale Desta , Abaineh Munshia, Desalegn Adisu, Alemayehu Abate, Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among people Living with HIV Attending at the Dangila Health Center, Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 15 No. 2 (2025)
- Meheretie Kokeb, Teklu Bekele Legesse, Bacillary Angiomatosis in an Ethiopian Child: A Case Report , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 2 (2010)
- Wubet Birhan Yigzaw, Belay Tessema, Shu-Hua Wang , Jordi B. Torrelles , Accuracy on Diagnostic Performance of Point Of Care Liodetect® Tb-St Rapid Test for the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in North West Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 11 No. 1 (2021)
- Baye Gelaw, Monkeypox Virus Infection in Humans: Past and new potential threat at our doorstep , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 12 No. 2 (2022)
- Getachew Ferede, Dengue Fever as an Emerging Health Concern in Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 9 No. 1 (2019)
- Mengistu Endris, Getasew Walle, Belaynew Wassie, Mulugeta Aemiro, Ligabaw Worku, Simon G/tsadik, Takele Teklu, Wubet Birhan, Jemal Ali, Bemnet Amare, Martha Alemayehu, Belay Anagaw, Aschalew Gelaw, Beyene Moges, Yeshambel Belyhun, Wossenseged Lemma, Meseret Delelegn, Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Risk Factors among Students of Atse Fasil General Elementary School Azezo, Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 3 No. I (2010)
- Kassahun Desalegn, Takeshi Nishikawa, Afework Kassu, Andargachew Mulu, Gizachew Yismaw, Yeshambel Belyhun, Sisay Yifru, Fusao Ota, Level of Serum IgE during Atopy With and Without Intestinal Parasitic Infections in the University Of Gondar Teaching Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 3 No. I (2010)
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.
Most read articles by the same author(s)
- Afework Kassu, Masayuki Fujino, Masako Nishizawa, Getahun Mengistu, Ermias Diro, Belete Ayele, Dereje Ketema, Feleke Moges, Andargachew Mulu, Gizachew Yismaw, Kahsay Huruy, Ebba Abate, Assefa Getachew, Moges Tiruneh, Yared Wondmikun, Wataru Sugiura, Fusao Ota, Levels of serum HIV-1 RNA viral load in tuberculosis patients with or without intestinal parasites during treatment of tuberculosis in Gondar, Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 1 No. 1 (2008)