Opportunistic intestinal parasites and Helicobacter pylori: Co-infection and associated risk factors among HIV patients | ||||
| Parasitologists United Journal | ||||
| Article 5, Volume 16, Issue 1, April 2023, Page 51-56 PDF (471.59 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/puj.2023.159259.1187 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Authors | ||||
| Asmaa Ibrahim* 1; Manar Ramadan2; Nancy Kamel3; Mahmoud Gadalla4 | ||||
| 1Departments of Medical Parasitology, Faculties of Medicine, Cairo (Laboratory of Molecular Medical Parasitology, LMMP) , Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, University of Sadat City (GEBRI, USC) , Egypt | ||||
| 2Departments of Medical Parasitology, Faculties of Medicine, Suez | ||||
| 3Departments of Medical Parasitology, Faculties of Medicine, Cairo 6 October3 Universities | ||||
| 4Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, University of Sadat City (GEBRI, USC) , Egypt | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Background: In immunocompromised human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients, opportunistic parasites and H. pylori are a major public health concern. In Egypt, few data regarding the problem magnitude and risk variables emerge from settings with scarce resources. Objective: The goal of this study was to determine detection rates of intestinal parasitic co-infections with H. pylori in HIV patients, as well as to record co-infection risk and predictors. Subjects and Methods: From Suez Fever Hospital, single fecal samples were collected from 70 HIV patients to detect intestinal parasitic infections. Stool samples were examined microscopically, fresh with iodine and acid-fast stain. Molecular diagnosis for H. pylori and Cryptosporidium spp. was performed using nested-PCR technique. Risk factors for H. pylori and parasites co-infection among HIV patients were assessed by a comprehensive behavioral questionnaire that included demographics data and clinical history. Results: Intestinal parasites (IP) were detected in 74.3% of the total study population. Pathogenic parasites identified were Cryptosporidium spp., E. histolytica/E. dispar complex, and G. lamblia in 28.5%, 27.1%, and 22.8%, respectively. Molecularly, H. pylori was detected in 15/70 (21.4%) of HIV patients of which H. pylori co-existed with Cryptosporidium spp. in seven patients (46.66%), and with I. belli in two patients (13.33%). Statistically, there was a strong positive correlation between cryptosporidiosis and diarrhea, as well as between infection with I. belli and diarrhea. Co-infection of H. pylori with Cryptosporidium spp., or I. belli was statistically linked to abdominal pain and diarrhea. Gender showed a statistically significant association with both Cryptosporidium and I. belli infections. Conclusion: It was concluded that HIV-positive patients with diarrhea were more likely to additionally suffer from Cryptosporidium spp. and H. pylori. The co-occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. and H. pylori supports the theory of co-infection. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| co-infection; H. pylori; HIV patients; n-PCR; opportunistic pathogens | ||||
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