Prevalence of enteric parasites in HIV-infected patients in Southwestern Nigeria

This study investigates the prevalence of enteric parasites in Immunodeficient HIV-infected outpatients (with and without diarrhoea) of Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, southwestern Nigeria, between November 2004 and April 2005. Stool samples collected from the patients were examined microscopically for the presence of intestinal parasites using wet preparation and stain smears. 50% of the 110 patients examined showed symptoms of diarrhoea (symptomatic) while the remaining half were asymptomatic. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was significantly higher (P<0.05) in symptomatic (15.4%) than asymptomatic (7.3%) diarrhoea patients. More cases of combined parasitism were reported in symptomatic than asymptomatic infected patients. 49% of the symptomatic cases had acute diarrhoea while 51% had chronic diarrhoea. However, the differences were non significant (P>0.05). Overall, protozoa were the most commonly identified etiologic agents (11.8%) closely followed by helminths (10.9%). Entamoeba histolytica (6.4%) was predominant followed by Giardia lamblia (5.5%) while Hookworm (2.7%) least occurred. Protozoan infection was most prevalent among 21-30 age group but nonsignificantly less (P>0.05) among 31-40 years and above. Studies on the frequency of occurrence of potential etiologic agents of diarrhoea in HIV-infected patients in different geographical locations are important guide to physician for case management.