Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in HIV-Positive Patients Attending Ahvaz Health Centers in 2012: A Cross-Sectional Study in South of Iran

Abstract

Background: AIDS is now known as a crisis throughout the world. Gastrointestinal parasites are the main causes of infections in HIVpositive patients. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in HIV-positive patients who referred to Ahvaz health centers, Ahvaz, Iran in 2012. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 HIV-positive patients of the Ahvaz health centers who selected by convenient sampling. Patients' demographics were recorded by a researcher-made questionnaire. Then, their fecal samples were collected and tested by using direct and concentrated formalin-ether and modified acid-fast staining. Data were analyzed by SPSS 19 software using Chi-square and ANOVA (analysis of variance) tests. Results: The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 48.8%, which shows a high prevalence in HIV-positive patients. There was a significant relationship between prevalence of parasite and variables of job, kind of health centers, history of diarrhea (P = 0.0001), education (P = 0.001), and age (P = 0.005), but there was no relationship with variables of CD4 + count (P = 0.293) and dyspepsia (P = 0.103). Conclusions: Given the prevalence of most gastrointestinal parasites, the HIV-positive patients show a weak immune system and higher sensitivity for infection particularly for opportunistic parasites. So, routine stool tests for detection of intestinal parasites are very useful for people with weakened immune systems.

Intestinal parasitic infections and associated factors among people living with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Finally, people who are living with HIV/AIDS having a history of diarrheal disease were nearly five times more likely to develop intestinal parasitic infections as compared to their counterparts (AOR: 4.79 (95%CI: 1.53, 14.99). This study finding is supported by the study conducted in France [10] and Southern Iran [12]. The possible justification might be due to the fact that diarrhea in immune-compromised patients might result in increased PLOS ONE susceptibility to infection due to loss of fluid and electrolytes.…”

“…Studies conducted in different continents showed that the magnitude of intestinal parasitic infections among HIV/AIDS patients has been varied across countries. Besides, the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among HIV/AIDS patients was 17% in France [10], 40% in Brazil [11], 48.8% in Iran [12], and 69% in Mexico [13]. In Africa, the magnitude of IPIs among HIV/AIDS patients was 57.48% in Cameroon [14], 24.7% in Nigeria [9], 65.3% in Burkina Faso [3], and 50.9% in Kenya [15].…”

Risk factors for Blastocystis infection in HIV/AIDS patients with highly active antiretroviral therapy in Southwest China

“…Blastocystis is one of the most common enteric protozoa in HIV-infected patient due to weaken immunity [19]. In this study, the detection rate of Blastocystis was 3.70% in HIV-infected patients, it was significant lower than that reported by others conducted in HIV/AIDS patients in China [5], and some developing countries, such as Ethiopia (10.6%) [20] and Iran (19.0%) [21].…”

Enteric Parasitosis of HIV-positive Patients in Cameroon: A Case of the Regional Hospital of Bafoussam (Western Region)

“…Similarly, Adarvishi et al [36] reported that B. hominis is one of the most common intestinal protozoa in HIV-infected patients due to their depressed immune system. On the other hand, the presence of the species D. dendriticum can be explained by human contact with pets such as sheep and cattle.…”