Prevalence of intestinal microsporidia and other intestinal parasites in HIV positive patients of Maracaibo, Venezuela

Abstract

Objective: To detect the presence of microsporidia and other enteric parasites in patients with HIVAIDS of the Autonomous Services University Hospital of Maracaibo (SAHUM), where there are no previous studies in this field.

Materials and methods: Fecal samples were analyzed by means of direct exam, concetration method with formal-ether, Kinyoun coloration and fast Gram-Chromotrope coloration. Separate PCR were perfomed to differentiate Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar, when the E. histolytica/E. dispar complex was observed in the microscope. Information on the patient was obtained trough clinical history.

Results: Of 56 individuals that participated, 38 (67.86%) presented some commensal parasite and/or pathogenic species in their fecal sample. Carriers of pathogenic species were predominat (26/38). Protozoa such as Isospora belli protozoa (17.65%), Blastocystis spp. (17.65%), Cryptosporidium spp. (7.84%), E. histolytica/E. dispar (5.88%), Entamoeba coli (3.92%), Giardia lamblia (3.92%), Endolimax nana (3.92%), Cyclospora cayetanensis (3.92%), and Chilomastix mesnilli (1.96%) were diagnosed. Among the helminths, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Strongyloides stercoralis, had a percentage of 27.27% each, and Hymenolepis nana, 18.18%. Entamoeba histolytica was only detected in one of three cases presenting complex microscopic examination. By Gram-chromotrope, 17 samples showed spores of the Microsporidia phylum, equivalent to 33.33% prevalence.

Conclusion: Microsporidia may be first prevalente in HIV positive patients when specific diagnostic techniques are used.

doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7705/biomedica.v33i4.1468