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Absence of opportunistic parasitic infestations in children living with HIV/AIDS in children's homes in Jamaica: pilot investigations / Ausencia de infecciones parasitarias oportunistas en niños que viven con VIH/SIDA en los hogares para niños en Jamaica: investigaciones pilotos
Barrett, DM; Steel-Duncan, J; Christie, CDC; Eldemire-Shearer, D; Lindo, JF.
  • Barrett, DM; University of the West Indies. Departments of Community Health and Psychiatry.
  • Steel-Duncan, J; University of the West Indies. Departments of Community Health and Psychiatry.
  • Christie, CDC; University of the West Indies. Departments of Community Health and Psychiatry.
  • Eldemire-Shearer, D; University of the West Indies. Departments of Community Health and Psychiatry.
  • Lindo, JF; University of the West Indies. Departments of Community Health and Psychiatry.
West Indian med. j ; 57(3): 253-256, June 2008. ilus, tab
Article in English | LILACS | ID: lil-672358
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Many children living with HIV/AIDS in developing countries are infected with intestinal parasites. These infections add unnecessary morbidity to children already suffering the clinical insult of living with HIV/AIDS.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the prevalence and potential risk factors for intestinal parasitic infections in HIV-infected children living in two institutions in Jamaica.

METHODS:

A total of 82 faecal specimens were collected from 41 HIV-infected children (age range 2-14 years) who resided in two Children's Homes. A structured 42-item questionnaire was administered to caregivers to obtain clinical and demographic data on each child. Faecal specimens from each patient were examined using standard microbiological techniques and Cryptosporidium antigen detection was conducted using a commercially available enzyme immunoassay (EIA).

RESULTS:

No opportunistic intestinal parasites were identified in this study. Non-opportunistic parasites diagnosed included Giardia lamblia (12.2%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (2.4%) while the commensals Endolimax nana and Entamoeba hartmanni were found in 4.9% and 2.4% of children, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

Children living with HIV/AIDS in institutions in Jamaica that are closely supervised do not appear to be at substantial risk for intestinal parasites. This may be due to the strict clinical monitoring of the children and personal and environmental hygiene practices.
RESUMEN
ANTECEDENTES Muchos niños que viven VIH/SIDA en los países en vías de desarrollo, están infectados con parásitos intestinales. Estas infecciones añaden una innecesaria morbilidad a los niños que ya sufren el insulto clínico de vivir con el VIH/SIDA.

OBJETIVO:

Determinar la prevalencia y los factores de riesgo potencial por infecciones parasitarias intestinales en niños infectados por VIH que viven en dos instituciones en Jamaica.

MÉTODOS:

Un total de 82 especimenes fecales fueron tomados de 41 niños infectados con VIH (rango de la edad 2-14 años) que residían en dos Hogares para Niños. Un cuestionario estructurado de 42 item fue administrado entre los encargados del cuidado de los niños, a fin de obtener datos clínicos y demográficos en cada niño. Los especimenes fecales de cada paciente fueron examinados usando técnicas microbiológicas estándar y se llevo a cabo la detección del antígeno de Cryptosporidium, usando inmunoensayos por enzimas (EIA) comercialmente disponibles.

RESULTADOS:

No se identificaron parásitos intestinales oportunistas en este estudio. Los parásitos no oportunistas diagnosticados incluyeron Giardia lamblia (12.2%) y Ascaris lumbricoides (2.4%) mientras que los comensales Endolimax nana y Entamoeba hartmanni, fueron hallados en 4.9% y 2.4% de los niños, respectivamente.

CONCLUSIÓN:

Los niños que viven con VIH/SIDA en instituciones de Jamaica estrechamente supervisadas, no parecen correr serio riesgo alguno de parásitos intestinales. Esto puede deberse al monitoreo clínico estricto de los niños y a las prácticas de higiene personal y ambiental.
Subject(s)
Full text: Available Index: LILACS (Americas) Main subject: Child, Institutionalized / AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic Type of study: Etiology study / Observational study / Prevalence study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Risk factors Limits: Adolescent / Child / Child, preschool / Female / Humans / Infant / Male Country/Region as subject: English Caribbean / Jamaica Language: English Journal: West Indian med. j Journal subject: Medicine Year: 2008 Type: Article / Congress and conference

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Full text: Available Index: LILACS (Americas) Main subject: Child, Institutionalized / AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic Type of study: Etiology study / Observational study / Prevalence study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Risk factors Limits: Adolescent / Child / Child, preschool / Female / Humans / Infant / Male Country/Region as subject: English Caribbean / Jamaica Language: English Journal: West Indian med. j Journal subject: Medicine Year: 2008 Type: Article / Congress and conference