Cyclospora infection in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
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2000-04-29
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Diarrhea is a common clinical manifestation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The important protozoan pathogens causing diarrhea include cryptosporidium, microsporidium, Isospora belli and cyclospora besides giardia lamblia and entamoeba histolytica.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to determine the incidence of cyclospora (a coccidian protozoan) infection in HIV infected patients.
METHODOLOGY: Faecal smears were stained by modified acid fast staining method to demonstrate oocysts of cyclospora.
RESULTS: Out of 334 faecal specimens which were studied, cyclospora were identified in 22 cases (6.6 percent); and in 50 percent of the patients, there was a mixed infection with another protozoan parasite namely cryptosporidium.
CONCLUSION: Identification of this parasite is important because cyclosporiasis can be treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Outbreaks of cyclospora infection have been linked to waterborne transmission. Though adequately chlorinated water is free of coliforms, it can still contain cyclospora.
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Deodhar L, Maniar JK, Saple DG. Cyclospora infection in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Journal of the Association of Physicians of India. 2000 Apr; 48(4): 404-6