Prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among individuals living with HIV/AIDS at Felegehiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

• A cross-sectional study on enteric protozoan infections among HIV/AIDS patients was carried out.
• Stool specimens were examined for the presence of trophozoites, cysts, and oocysts.
• CD4+ T-cell count was performed to evaluate the immune status of study subjects.
• Highest to lowest prevalence of infection was due to Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Cryptosporidium spp, Giardia lamblia, and Isospora belli.
• Patients with the lowest CD4+ T-cell count were at the highest risk of Cryptosporidium spp infection.

SummaryBackgroundHIV infection continues to pose a serious challenge to global health by predisposing patients to opportunistic infections. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2012 to February 2013 to assess the enteric protozoan infection status among individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Felegehiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, northwest Ethiopia.MethodsStool specimens from 399 HIV-positive individuals were examined for the presence of trophozoites, cysts, and oocysts using direct wet mount, formol–ether sedimentation and modified Ziehl–Neelsen techniques. In addition, CD4+ T-cell counts were measured to evaluate the immune status of the study subjects.ResultsAn overall prevalence of 30.6% enteric protozoan infections was recorded. Pre-ART (antiretroviral treatment) individuals were more infected than patients on ART, although this was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The highest prevalence of enteric protozoan infection was due to Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar (19.3%), followed by Cryptosporidium spp (5.8%), Giardia lamblia (4.3%), and Isospora belli (1.3%). A CD4+ T-cell count of <200 cells/μl and status of being diarrhoeic were significantly associated with the overall prevalence of enteric protozoan infection.ConclusionsA relatively high prevalence of enteric protozoan infection was observed among individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Routine stool and CD4+ T-cell examinations should be conducted to monitor the status of HIV/AIDS patients.