Intestinal parasitosis among HIV/AIDS patients with diarrhoea at a missions hospital in tropical west africa: Pattern and types

Human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is still endemic in Benue state and Mkar community with often limited facilities for its management. The study was set up to ascertain the nature and types of intestinal parasites among HIV/AIDS patients with diarrhoea, a common clinical presentation in the community. Study was hospital based, patients attending HIV clinic at Mkar were consecutively enrolled for the study between January and June 2009. Close ended questionnaires were administered and relevant information such as age, sex, marital status, educational background occupation and regular intake of antiretroviral drugs were obtained. Stool samples were collected, stored, transported and processed using standard procedures of microscopy, culture and sensitivity. Data was analysed using simple descriptive methods and Epi Info 6 statistical software, P values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. Parasites recovered from stool samples of HIV/AIDS patients at Mkar were: Entamoeba histolytica, 48.9%; Giardia lamblia, 14.9%; Hookworm, 11.7%; Crytosporidium parvum, 11.2%; Ascaris lumbricoides, 6.4%; Isospora belli 4.3% and Trichuris trichiura 2.6%. Bacteria were responsible for 53.5% of the diarrhoea cases, the commonest being Escherichia coli. Strict antiretroviral drug compliance was 6.3%. Symptomatic management of diarrhoea in HIV/AIDS patients should embrace these parasites not neglecting contributions of Enterobacteriaceae.