Prevalence of intestinal parasitic pathogens among HIV-positive individuals in Tehran and Kermansha, Iran

ABSTRACT

Parasites are important enteric pathogens among patients with immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection. In our country there are very few reports on prevalence of intestinal parasites among these patients. In the present study we have determined the prevalence of intestinal parasites among HIV-positive individuals visited in different medical centers in Iran. Single stool samples were collected and analyzed for various intestinal parasites from 206 HIV-positive individuals with different immune status. The data were tested for statistical significance with [2] and Mann-Whitney U tests. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 18.4% [95%CI 13.7-24.3]. In particular, the following parasites were identified Giardia lamblia [7.3%], Blastocystis hominis [4.4%], Entamoeba coli [3.9%], and Cryptosporidium parvum [1.5%]. Strongyloides stercoralis and Hymenolepis nana were also found in two cases and Dicrocoelium dendriticum in one. Intestinal parasites were significantly more common among patients with diarrhea [n=28] than those without [n=178] [p < 0.001]. Besides, CD4 counts were significantly lower among individuals with diarrhea than those without [p < 0.001]. This study highlights the importance of testing for intestinal parasites among Iranian HIV-positive patients especially those with low immunity presented with diarrhea