Cryptosporidiosis among HIV-infected persons in the Niger Delta of Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Since the discovery of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), many studies demonstrated that intestinal parasites were frequently associated with pictures of severe diarrhoea in patients with HIV.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis among HIV-infected persons in the Niger Delta of Nigeria.
METHOD: Faecal samples from One hundred and five HIV/AIDS infected subjects made up of 48 males and 57 females aged 18-54 years, mean age and CD4 count of 36.14 +/- 8.46 years and 320 +/- 140 cells/microl respectively were evaluated for Cryptosporidiosis using the Modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method.
RESULTS: Of the one hundred and five faecal samples examined, 3 (2.9%) were positive for cryptosporidium oocyst. Prevalence was significantly higher among females 2/57 (3.5%) compared to males 1/48 (2.1%), among subjects with diarrhoea 3(11.5%) and among subjects with CD4 lymphocyte count < 200 cells/microl (p < 0.01). CD4 count of subjects positive for cryptosporidium oocyst was significantly lower (150 +/- 50 cells/microl). The mean CD4 count of subjects with diarrhoea was significantly lower (mean 180 cells/microl) compared to those without diarrhoea (360 cells/microl).
CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that the prevalence of intestinal colonization due to Cryptosporidium is significantly higher among HIV-infected persons presenting with diarrhoea and low CD4 lymphocyte count of < 200cells/microl and re-emphasizes the need to incorporate routine faecal parasitological examination (FPE) in the follow up management of patients with HIV/AIDS. This is likely to optimise treatments in these patients by eradicating opportunistic pathogens and improve the quality of life of these patients.