Intestinal parasitic infections and associated clinical symptoms among patients with AIDS

Parasites are one of the most important causes of diarrhea, severe weight loss and even death in patients with AIDS. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated clinical symptoms among AIDS patients. In this study, 220 AIDS patients and 220 healthy subjects were invited to participate in the study. Demographic data were collected using questionnaires. Blood and stool samples were collected for CD4+ T cell counting by flow cytometry and parasitological examinations. To verify the AIDS infection, ELISA was used. Different parasitology methods were used to diagnose the presence of intestinal parasites (IPs). Prevalence of IPs among AIDS patients and controls was 44.52% and 44.07% respectively. The meaningful statistical difference between two groups was only observed for Cryptosporidium (P <0.001). Among 15 AIDS patients which were infected with Cryptosporidium, 10 cases had diarrhea that there was a significant difference in compare with the others (P <0.05). The average number of CD4+ T cells in AIDS patients with diarrhea was significantly lower than the others (P <0.001). Results of this study showed the high prevalence of IPs among AIDS patients, which can play an important role in the morbidity and mortality of patients. Preventive measures and appropriate treatment are recommended.

کلیدواژه ها:

Intestinal parasitic infections ، Clinical symptoms ، Flow cytometry ، Patients with AIDS