THE PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL OPPORTUNISTIC PARASITES AMONG HIV SEROPOSITIVE INDIVIDUALS IN THE CAPE COAST METROPOLIS

Persistent diarrhoea and small bowel enteropathies are features of HIV infection. The coccidian parasites such as Microsporidium species, Cyclospora species, Cryptosporidium species, bacteria and cytomegaloviruses are implicated in HIV infections-associate diarrhoea. Determination of the prevalence of coccidian parasites and Microsporidium sp in HIV/AIDs seropositive patients visiting Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) will contribute immensely to the management of diarrhoea. Aims: The study estimates the percentage occurrence of Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora Microsporidium and Isospora among HIV seropositive patients within the Cape Coast. Methods: The study was conducted from May 2012 to April 2013 at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH). It was a cross-sectional study. The stool samples were examined microscopically using Wet mount, acid-fast staining methods. The protozoan was confirmed using species-specific PCR analysis. The data was analyzed using Pearson correlation. Results: The overall prevalence of Cyclospora, Cryptosporidium, Microsporidium and Isospora spp as detected by microscopic examination were 32% (16), 46% (23), 16% (8) and 0% respectively. PCR test showed 40% (20), 48% (24), 0% and 0% for Cyclospora, Cryptosporidium, Microsporidium and Isospora spp. There was a negative correlation (R=-0.424) between the CD4+ T-cell counts and coccidian parasite counts among the subject. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of Cyclospora, Cryptosporidium, and Microsporidium species among HIV/AIDs patients experiencing diarrhoea in the Cape Coast.