Diarrhoea-associated parasites in HIV-1 seropositive and sero-negative patients in a teaching hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
Andualem, B.; Kassu, A.; Moges, F.; Gedefaw, M.; Diro, E.; Mengistu, G.; Andargie, G.
Ethiopian Medical Journal 45(2): 165-170
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0014-1755 PMID: 17642173 Document Number: 606608
Objective: To determine the prevalence and type of intestinal parasites in HIV infected and uninfected patients with diarrhoea. Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Gondar University hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, between March 2003 and October 2004. Patients and methods: A total 312 consecutive diarrhoeic patients were included in the study. Stool specimens were collected and examined for intestinal parasites following direct, formol-ether concentration and modified acid fast staining methods. Results: Among the patients, 63.8% were found to be HIV seropositive. The prevalence of intestinal parasites in HIV seropositive and seronegative diarrhoeic patients was 30.6% and 33.6%, respectively. The most prevalent parasites were Strongyloides stercoralis (9.0%) and Entamoeba histolytica (8.3%) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (5.4%) and Cryptosporidium species (5.1%). Conclusion and recommendation: The prevalence of intestinal parasites in diarrhoeic patients was very high. Institution of appropriate intervention measures are needed to reduce morbidity in such patients.