Cryptosporidium in AIDS patients in south India: a laboratory investigation.

ABSTRACT

Faecal samples from 108 AIDS patients submitted for parasitological examination were screened for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Twenty-four were symptomatic patients (Group I), 40 mildly symptomatic (Group II) and 47 asymptomatic (Group III). Cryptosporidium was present in faecal samples of four out of twelve diarrhoeic AIDS patients. None in other groups were positive for Cryptosporidium. Concentration of faeces may not be necessary for the oocyst detection. The study highlights the occurrence of Cryptosporidium in AIDs patients of South India.