Cryptosporidiosis and Isosporiasis among HIV/AIDS patients in Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia

Background and objectives: Cryptosporidosis and isosporiasis are becoming common in subjects with AIDS. Thus a cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the magnitude of Cryptosporidium parvum and Isospora belli infections among HIV/AIDS patients in Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia. Patients and methods: One hundred ELISA positive HIV/AIDS patients form Jimma hospital and Mother Theressa Missionary Charity Center of Jimma from January to February, 2001. Fifty HIV-seronegative, apparently healthy control groups were also used for comparison. Stool samples were collected and examined for intestinal parasites with special emphasis on oocyst of Cryptosporidium species and Isospora belli using the direct stool microscopy, modified Ziehl-Neelsen and safranine methylene blue staining techniques. Results: Cryptosporidium parvum and Isospora belli were identified from 17(17%) and 2(2%) of AIDS patients respectively. In addition, 48% of the HIV/AIDS patients were infected with one or more kinds of intestinal parasites: Ascaris lumbricoides, hook worm, Trichuris trichiuria, Strongyloide stercoralis, Schistosoma mansoni and Taenia species. Of all the parasites Cryptosporidium parvum was significantly associated with AIDS patients. Conclusion: This finding supports the view that the two opportunistic coccidian parasites, Cryptosoporidium parvum and Isospora belli, are highly associated with HIV infection and AIDS. Thiscalls for awareness of the opportunists for proper management of HIV/AIDS patients. Key words: Crytosporidiasis, Isosporiasis, HIV/AIDS, Intestinal parasitosis. [J Ethiopia Med Pract. 2001:3(2):64– 69]