A cross sectional survey was conducted to determine the association between enteric parasites and diarrhoea in HIV-infected adults in Caracas. Three hundred and four patients were evaluated: 104 had acute diarrhoea, 113 chronic diarrhoea and 87 were controls. Isopora belli infection was associated with acute (P = 0.022) and chronic diarrhoea (P = 0.003), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar infection was also associated with both acute (P = 0.015) and chronic diarrhoea (P = 0.017). Strongyloides stercoralis (P = 0.003), and Cryptosporidium parvum (P = 0.017) infections were associated mainly with chronic episodes. Weight loss (P < 0.001), a non-infectious factor investigated, was significantly associated with diarrhoea. Eosinophilia, a laboratory parameter studied, was found to be associated with strongyloidiasis (P = 0.001), giardiasis (P = 0.001) and isoporiasis (P = 0.003). In summary, the presence of enteric parasites in HIV-infected patients from tropical urban areas with diarrhoea, with or without significant weight loss, must be considered. Similarly, eosinophilia might suggest parasitic infection in these patients.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Arenas‐Pinto et al. (2003) studied this question.