Intestinal parasitic infections in HIV/AIDS and HIV seronegative individuals in a teaching hospital, Ethiopia

The magnitude of intestinal parasitic infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) /AIDS patients requires careful consideration in the developing world. However, there have been very few studies addressing this issue in Ethiopia. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in HIV/AIDS patients at Jimma Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia, between January and February 2002. Stool specimens from HIV/AIDS patients and control groups were screened for intestinal parasitic infections using direct and formalin-ether sedimentation concentration methods. Out of 78 HIV/AIDS patients, 52.6% (41/78), and out of 26 HIV-negative individuals, 42.3% (11/26), were infected with one or more types of intestinal protozoa and/or helminthes. The parasites detected among HIV/AIDS patients included Ascaris lumbricoides (30.8%), Blastocystis spp. (14.1%), Entamoeba histolytica (10.3%), Trichuris trichiura (6.4%), Strongyloides stercoralis (5.1%), Giardia lamblia (3.8%), Schistosoma mansoni (2.5%), hookworm species (2.5%), and Taenia spp. (1.3%). Multiple infections were more common among HIV/AIDS patients. Blastocystis spp. were found to be significantly higher in HIV/AIDS patients than in controls (P < 0.05). The magnitude of intestinal parasitic infection was high both in HIV/AIDS patients and in controls. Routine examinations of stool samples for parasites would significantly benefit the HIV-infected and uninfected individuals by contributing to reduce morbidity.     

HIV/AIDS患者中CD4细胞计数与总淋巴细胞计数间相关性研究

目的评价总淋巴细胞计数与CD4细胞计数间的相关性.方法回顾性分析了226例艾滋病病毒(HIV)阳性患者共330对同一天获得的CD4细胞计数与总淋巴细胞计数间的相关性,阳性预测值(PPV)、敏感性、特异性分别在不同的总淋巴细胞计数范围对应于CD4细胞计数<200个/mm3和CD4细胞计数<350个/mm3时获得.结果 330对CD4细胞计数与总淋巴细胞计数之间存在相关性(r=0.528,P<0.01),总淋巴细胞计数<1 400个/mm3对应于CD4细胞计数<200个/mm3有70.11%的阳性预测值,72.61%的敏感性,88.46%的特异性,总淋巴细胞计数<1 900个/mm3对应于CD4细胞计数<350个/mm3有80.97%的阳性预测值,70.92%的敏感性,74.54%的特异性.结论总淋巴细胞计数可以作为评价患者患机会性感染的危险程度及何时开始药物治疗的一种低消费的监测手段.阳性预测值(PPV)、敏感性、特异性分别在总淋巴细胞计数<1 400个/mm3对应于CD4细胞计数<200个/mm3和总淋巴细胞计数<1 900个/mm3对应于CD4细胞计数<350个/mm3时表现最为明显.     

Susceptibility to intestinal infection and diarrhoea in Zambian adults in relation to HIV status and CD4 count

Background

The HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa has had a major impact on infectious disease, and there is currently great interest in the impact of HIV on intestinal barrier function. A three year longitudinal cohort study in a shanty compound in Lusaka, Zambia, carried out before anti-retroviral therapy was widely available, was used to assess the impact of HIV on susceptibility to intestinal infectious disease. We measured the incidence and seasonality of intestinal infection and diarrhoea, aggregation of disease in susceptible individuals, clustering by co-habitation and genetic relatedness, and the disease-to-infection ratio.

Methods

Adults living in a small section of Misisi, Lusaka, were interviewed every two weeks to ascertain the incidence of diarrhoea. Monthly stool samples were analysed for selected pathogens. HIV status and CD4 count were determined annually.

Results

HIV seroprevalence was 31% and the prevalence of immunosuppression (CD4 count 200 cells/μL or less) was 10%. Diarrhoea incidence was 1.1 episodes per year and the Incidence Rate Ratio for HIV infection was 2.4 (95%CI 1.7–3.3; p < 0.001). The disease-to-infection ratio was increased at all stages of HIV infection. Aggregation of diarrhoea in susceptible individuals was observed irrespective of immunosuppression, but there was little evidence of clustering by co-habitation or genetic relatedness. There was no evidence of aggregation of asymptomatic infections.

Conclusion

HIV has an impact on intestinal infection at all stages, with an increased disease-to-infection ratio. The aggregation of disease in susceptible individuals irrespective of CD4 count suggests that this phenomenon is not a function of cell mediated immunity.     

AIDS患者贫血与CD4+细胞计数的关系

目的观察HIV/AIDS患者贫血与CD4 细胞计数的关系.方法对192例HIV/AIDS患者的CD4 细胞计数、血红蛋白、贫血的发生率进行统计学分析.结果①不同CD4 细胞计数分组的血红蛋白(HGB)差异有显著性意义(P=0.000),CD4 ＜100/mm3的HGB与CD4 ＞100/mm3各组的HGB的差异均有显著性意义,而CD4 ＞100/mm3各组间的HGB的差异无显著性意义;②CD4 ＜200/mm3时贫血的发生率(12.9%)高于CD4 ＞200/mm3贫血的发生率(2.5%),两者的差异有显著性意义(P=0.01);③贫血与否与CD4 细胞计数的差异有显著性意义(P=0.024),贫血(HGB＜10g/dl)者CD4 细胞计数的范围是148±166/mm3.结论HIV/AIDS患者CD4 ＜200/mm3时贫血的发生率增加.     

Intestinal parasitic infections in HIV/AIDS patients: experience at a teaching hospital in central Brazil

In order to verify the occurrence of intestinal parasitic infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, 100 HIV/AIDS patients (Group 1) and 85 clinically healthy individuals (Group 2) were submitted to coproparasitological examination. Intestinal parasites were detected in 27% of patients from Group 1 and in 17.6% from Group 2. In Group 1 the most frequent parasites were Strongyloides stercoralis (12%), with 2 cases of hyperinfection; Isospora belli, 7%; Cryptosporidium sp., 4%; with 1 asymptomatic case and hookworm, 4%. Of the infected patients from Group 1 who reported to be chronic alcoholics, 64.3% had strongyloidiasis. Only 6 of the 27 infected patients from Group 1 were on highly antiretroviral therapy (HAART). In Group 2 the most frequent parasites were S. stercoralis, 7.1%; hookworm, 7.1% and Giardia lamblia, 3.5%. In conclusion, diagnosing intestinal parasites in HIV/AIDS patients is necessary especially in those who report to be chronic alcoholics or are not on antiretroviral treatment.     

160例成人HIV感染者/AIDS患者机会性感染与CD4+之间关系分析

目的：分析中国成人艾滋病病毒（HIV）感染者／艾滋病（AIDS）患者机会性感染发生的频率与CD4^ 细胞数之间的关系。方法：对1990－2001年在北京佑安医院就诊的160例成人HIV感染者／AIDS患者CD4^ 、CD8^ 进行跟踪分析。结果：（1）CD4^ ＞500个／μl66人次（12．7％），CD4^ 为200个／μl-500个／μl212人次（41．1％），CD4^ ＜200个／μl234人次（45．3％）。在CD4^ ＜个200／μl中，CD4^ ＜100个／μl128人次（24．8％），CD4^ ＜50个／μl89人次（17．2％）。（2）CD4^ ＞200个／μl时，共发生机会性感染33人次（15．6％）。CD4^ ＜200个／μl时，共发生机会性感染170人次（72．6％），CD4^ 为100个／μl0－200个／μl之间发生机会性感染42人次（39．6％），CD4^ ＜100个／μl发生机会性感染128人次（98．4％），其中CD4^ ＜50个／μl发生机会性感染87人次（97．8％）。结论：中国成人HIV感染者／AIDS患者在CD4^ ＞200个/μl时机会性感染出现频率较少，CD4^ ＜200个／μl时机会性感染的频率明显增加，CD4^ ＜100个／μl和＜50个／μl时，感染率约为100％。     

Changes in CD4 count among persons living with HIV/AIDS following Hurricane Katrina

To examine the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the disease progression of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH/A), CD4 counts during the 18 months immediately prior and subsequent to Katrina were obtained from the Louisiana Office of Public Health. PLWH/A were determined to be either non-residents of the New Orleans area, returning evacuees or evacuees who had returned to the area within 18 months. A mixed model repeated measures ANOVA showed significant effects for race, sex, age, year of diagnosis, and mode of exposure. A significant main effect for residence was found, as well as an interaction of residence by time of CD4 count (pre-Katrina vs. post-Katrina), indicating that, while non-returning evacuees had lower overall CD4 counts, the change in CD4 counts of non-returning evacuees dropped more sharply than those of the returning PLWH/A or non-residents. While these results point to a potential need for the population of PLWH/A who continue to be affected by Katrina, they also provide important data on the effect that large-scale disasters and stressful life events may have on individuals with chronic disease.     

成人HIV／AIDS CD^4＋细胞数与病毒载量之间关系分析

目的分析成人HIV/AIDS患者CD4~+细胞数与病毒载量(VL)之间的关系。方法对1990年—2001年在本院就诊的200例HIV/AIDS患者进行跟踪分析。结果 CD4~+≥200/μl时,血浆VL(log10)为4.17±0.79;CD4~+<200/μl时,血浆VL(log10)为5.01±0.72,VL水平明显高于CD~+≥200/μl组(P<0.01)。其中CD4~+>350/μl时,血浆VL(log10)为3.95±0.82;CD4~+200～350/μl时.血浆VL(log10)为4.43±0.63;CD4~+100～200/μl时,血浆VL(log10)为4.85±0.68;CD4~+<100/μl时,血浆VL(log10)为5.16±0.68。结论 HIV/AIDS患者CD4~+细胞数与病毒复制有非常密切的关系,外周血CD4~+细胞数与血浆VL的变化呈负相关关系。当血浆VL(log10)>5.01±0.72时,应考虑患者已进入艾滋病期。     

160例成人HIV/AIDS临床表现与血CD4+细胞相关性分析

目的分析中国成人HIV/AIDS临床症状与周围血CD_4~+细胞数之间的关系。方法对1990年-2001年在本院就诊的160例成人HIV/AIDS CD_4~+、CD_8~+及临床症状进行跟踪分析。结果①共检测CD_4~+、CD_8~+ 516例次:CD_4~+≥200/μl 278例次(53.9％),CD_4~+<200/μl 238例次(46.1％);②在CD_4~+≥200/μl的278例次中,临床症状表现为乏力66例次(23.7％),记忆力下降51例次(18.3％),脱发65例次(23.4％),体征中表现为淋巴结肿大128例(46.3％),出现带状疱疹65例次(23.3％);CD_4~+<200/μl的238例次中,临床症状表现为发热228例次(95.8％),腹泻216例次(90.8％),口腔霉菌感染合并口腔溃疡192例次(80.7％),皮疹67例次(28.2％),体重下降168例次(70.6％)。结论中国成人HIV/AIDS患者在CD_4~+≥200/μl时临床症状较少,主要表现为乏力、脱发、记忆力下降等非特异性症状,体征主要表现为淋巴结肿大;CD_4~+<200/μl时临床症状集中表现为发热、腹泻、口腔霉菌感染合并口腔溃疡、体重下降等。     

87例CD4+T淋巴细胞低水平AIDS患者机会性感染临床分析

目的分析CD4^＋T淋巴细胞低水平AIDS患者机会性感染的临床特点及治疗效果,以提高临床诊疗水平。方法收集我院感染科就诊的87例CD4^＋T淋巴细胞低于100／td的AIDS患者的临床资料,回顾性分析其机会性感染谱及预后情况。结果87例中67例发生机会性感染,主要临床表现为：发热、咳嗽、消瘦、乏力、口腔白斑、头晕、呕吐、气短、腹泻、皮疹、淋巴结肿大等;主要机会性感染依次为：细菌性肺炎、口腔念珠菌感染、肺结核、带状疱疹、肺孢子菌肺炎等。总共发生107例次机会性感染,在接受对症治疗的70例次中,治愈或好转59例次,治疗无效8例次;3例因机会性感染死亡。发生过多种机会性感染的患者与未发生机会性感染患者相比,有较低的CD4＋T淋巴细胞水平及较高的病毒载量,但并未显示出统计学差异。结论CD4＋T淋巴细胞低水平的AIDS患者易发各种机会性感染,发生率为77．01％,临床症状复杂多样。早期发现、早期诊断、早期治疗机会性感染对降低AIDS患者的病死率,提高其生活质量尤为重要。     

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infestation in HIV/AIDS patients with diarrhea in Madurai City, South India

The prevalence and pattern of parasitic infestation among 80 HIV/AIDS patients with diarrhea in Madurai, south India, was studied by microscopy. Eighty HIV-negative patients were used as controls. Intestinal parasites were detected in 31 HIV/AIDS patients (38.7%) and in 14 (17.5%) HIV-negative patients, a difference that was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In HIV/AIDS patients with diarrhea, protozoa accounted for the majority of diarrhea cases (Entamoeba spp. 37.5%, Cryptosporidium parvum 28.7%). It is therefore suggested that enteric infections are more common in HIV-infected patients than in HIV-negative persons in south India, and this may be due to differences in immunological profile, susceptibility as well as factors related to sanitation and the environment.     

Yogurt containing probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 helps resolve moderate diarrhea and increases CD4 count in HIV/AIDS patients

HIV/AIDS is changing the human landscape in sub-Saharan Africa. Relatively few patients receive antiretroviral therapy, and many suffer from debilitating diarrhea that affects their quality of life. Given the track record of probiotics to alleviate diarrhea, conventional yogurt fermented with Lactobacillus delbruekii var bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus was supplemented with probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14. Twenty-four HIV/AIDS adult female patients (18 to 44 y) with clinical signs of moderate diarrhea, CD4 counts over 200, and not receiving antiretrovirals or dietary supplements, consumed either 100 mL supplemented or unsupplemented yogurt per day for 15 days. Hematologic profiles, CD4 cell counts, and quality of life was evaluated at baseline, 15 and 30 days postprobiotic-yogurt feeding. There was no significant alteration in the hematologic parameters of both groups before and after the probiotic-yogurt feeding. The probiotic yogurt group at baseline, 15 and 30 days had a mean WBC count of 5.8+/-0.76 x 10(9)/L, 6.0+/-1.02 x 10(9)/L, and 5.4+/-0.14 x 10(9)/L, respectively. However, the mean CD4 cell count remained the same or increased at 15 and 30 days in 11/12 probiotic-treated subjects compared to 3/12 in the control. Diarrhea, flatulence, and nausea resolved in 12/12 probiotic-treated subjects within 2 days, compared to 2/12 receiving yogurt for 15 days. This is the first study to show the benefits of probiotic yogurt on quality of life of women in Nigeria with HIV/AIDS, and suggests that perhaps a simple fermented food can provide some relief in the management of the AIDS epidemic in Africa.     

Microbiological infections in HIV positive Bahraini patients with low CD4+ T-lymphocyte count

The correlation of CD4+ T-lymphocyte count and the distribution of pathogenic or opportunistic microbial infection most commonly found in HIV positive individuals differ from one area to the other. The present study reports such findings in 67 HIV positive Bahraini patients in the period May 1997 to Nov. 1998. CD4+ T-lymphocyte count was measured using flow cytometry. Bacterial and fungal cultures were performed. Serological diagnosis was performed when indicated. Viral study was done serologically. The distribution of CD4+ T-lymphocyte count in the studied group was: 21 patients (31.3%) less than 100 cells/microl, 5 patients (7.5%) 100-200 cells/microl, 25 patients (37.3%) 201-500 cells/microl and 16 patients (23.9%) with count more than 500 cells/microl. Among patients with low CD4 count (less than 100 cells/microl) (n=21), microbial infections varied from fungal infections 66%, bacterial infections 57% and viral infections 4.8%. Bacterial infections included Salmonellosis (14.3%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (14.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.5%), H. influenzae (9.5%), Legionellosis (4.8%) and E. coli (4.8%). Fungal infection included Candida albicans (52.4%), Pneumocystis carinii (9.5%), Cryptococcus neoformans (4.8%). Viral infection included H. simplex to (4.8%). Fungal infections were the highest common infection in thus study. The most common microbial infection was Candida albicans. P. carinii and Cryptococcus neoformans were less common than found in other studies world wide.     

Morbidity and nutritional impairment in relation to CD4 count in a Zambian population with high HIV prevalence

The HIV epidemic has greatly increased morbidity in many African cities and severe undernutrition is a prominent feature of the clinical presentation. However, there is little information about the relationship of morbidity or nutritional status to immune damage at a population level. We report a cross-sectional study of morbidity and nutritional status in relation to CD4 count in an impoverished urban community in Lusaka, Zambia, at enrollment into a longitudinal study. Over a 2 month period in 1999, 261 (52%) of 506 adults resident in one area were interviewed and examined. Of 186 adults who consented to testing, 33 (51%) of 65 who were HIV seropositive reported symptoms of disease compared to 39 (32%) of 121 who were HIV seronegative (OR 2.2, 95%CI 1.1-4.2; P=0.02). Peripheral blood CD4 counts in HIV seronegative individuals were broadly similar to norms in developed countries, but 8 (7%) had CD4 counts below 500 cells/microl. Morbidity in HIV seropositive adults was dominated by tuberculosis (n=11), other respiratory infections (5) or persistent diarrhoea (4), and affected individuals had a wide range of CD4 counts. Nutritional impairment was evident in HIV seropositive adults with clinical evidence of opportunistic infection (OI), not those with asymptomatic HIV infection. Unexpectedly, we also noted that systolic blood pressure was reduced progressively in HIV infection and in those with OI. In conclusion, HIV-related morbidity was dominated by a small number of treatable infectious diseases occurring over a wide range of CD4 count. Nutritional impairment was associated with OI.     

Intestinal parasitic infections in Thai HIV-infected patients with different immunity status

Background  

One of the major health problems among HIV seropositive patients is superimposed infection due to the defect of immunity. Furthermore, intestinal parasite infection, which is also one of the basic health problems in tropical region, is common in these patients. In this study, a cross sectional study to document the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in Thai HIV-infected patients with different immune status was performed.     

Intestinal parasitic infections among human immunodeficiency virus-infected and -uninfected children hospitalized with diarrhea in Bangkok,Thailand

A prospective observational study was conducted to determine the prevalence and the clinical impact of intestinal parasitic infections in diarrheal illness among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected children hospitalized with diarrhea in Bangkok, Thailand. Stool samples were examined for intestinal parasites using a simple smear method, a formalin-ether concentration method, a modified acid-fast stain and a modified trichrome stain. Intestinal parasites (IP) were identified in the stool specimens of 27 of 82 (33%) HIV-infected and 12 of 80 (15%) HIV-uninfected children (p=0.01). Microsporidia and Cryptosporidium were the most common IP found. Eighty-two percent of HIV-infected and 97% of HIV-uninfected groups presented with acute diarrhea and 76% of each group had watery diarrhea. Pneumonia was the most common concurrent illness, found in 22%. Clinical findings were unable to differentiate children infected with IP. Sixty-three percent of HIV-infected and 83% of HIV-uninfected children who had IP made a satisfactory recovery without specific anti-parasitic therapy. However, 9 children (7 HIV-infected and 2 HIV-uninfected) with persistent diarrhea who also had cryptosporidiosis and/or microsporidiosis did not respond to azithromycin and/or albendazole respectively. HIV-infected children with cryptosporidiosis were older and had more advanced HIV infection than those with microsporidiosis. Routine stool examination for IP should be considered due to the absence of clinical markers. The lack of effective therapy for the major IP found underscores the importance of preventive measures.     

AIDS合并结核病患者HIV RNA定量和CD4+T淋巴细胞计数特点分析

目的 总结AIDS合并结核病的临床特点,进一步提高对AIDS合并结核病的认识.方法 将AIDS合并结核病患者分为肺内结核组、肺内结核并肺外结核组和肺外结核组,比较和分析3组之间HIV RNA定量、CD4+T淋巴细胞计数的差异.结果 肺内结核组的HIV RNA定量明显低于肺内并肺外结核组和肺外结核组(P均＜0.05).肺内结核组的CD4+T淋巴细胞计数明显高于肺内并肺外结核组和肺外结核组(P均＜ 0.05).结论 患者的HIV RNA载量越高、CD4+T淋巴细胞计数越低,免疫功能越差,越易发生肺外结核和肺内并肺外结核,越易导致结核分枝杆菌播散性传播.     

Periodontal status of HIV infected patients with special reference to CD4 cell count in West Bengal,India

ObjectiveTo evaluate the periodontal status of HIV seropositive patients and to find out if any correlation exists between the severity of periodontal disease and the CD4 cell count in HIV patients.MethodsOne hundred and thirty patients attending the Viral Diseases OPD, Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata were examined. They were grouped according to the CD4 cell count as Group A – Subjects with CD4 Cell count < 200/μL and Group B – Subjects with CD4 Cell count≥200/μL. Their community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN) score were recorded.ResultsIt was found that most of the patients in each group were having score ‘2’ (i.e. presence of supra or subgingival calculus), as their highest score. A statistically significant association was found between immune status as depicted by CD4 cell count and periodontal status as shown by highest CPITN score in the present study.ConclusionsThe present study confirms the effect of immunosuppression on periodontal diseases in HIV infected patients.     

Factors predicting the time for CD4 T-cell count to return to nadir in the course of CD4-guided therapy interruption in chronic HIV infection

OBJECTIVE: Our previous studies on CD4-guided therapy interruption (TI) showed that the durations of the first and second TIs were similar if antiretroviral therapy (ART) was resumed at a level of the CD4 cell count similar to or higher than the nadir CD4 T-cell count. Therefore, in a strategy of repeated CD4-guided TI, it is important to know which factors predict the time for the CD4 T-cell count to return to nadir (TRN). METHODS: From a cohort of 125 patients who interrupted ART, 92 patients who reached a CD4 T-cell count similar to the nadir count were included in the study. RESULTS: The median TRN was 12.3 months. In the multivariate analysis, younger age (P=0.011), lower pre-ART HIV RNA (P=0.022) and female gender (P=0.045) were associated with a longer TRN. After TI there were 11 clinical events in the group of patients whose nadir CD4 count was >200 cells/microL. Most of these events occurred when the TI was prolonged beyond the TRN. CONCLUSIONS: The factors predicting the TRN were age, HIV RNA pre-ART and gender. Resumption of therapy at a CD4 cell count similar to the nadir CD4 count appears to protect against the development of clinical events. Given the observational nature of this study, no conclusions can be drawn regarding the possible application of TI in clinical practice.