Intestinal Parasitic Infections in HIV and non-HIV Infected Patients with Chronic Diarrhea in Thailand

Authors

  • Darawan Wanachiwanawin Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
  • Sathaporn Manatsathit Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
  • Punpob Lertlaituan Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
  • Kleophant Thakerngpol Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
  • Parvinee Suwanagool Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University

Keywords:

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Abstract

Chronic diarrhea is a common problem in AIDS patients, and enteric parasites are re-cognized as important causes. This study determined the prevalence of parasitic infections in HIV infected patients with chronic diarrhea. Ninety-one patients with AIDS who presented with chronic diarrhea and 103 patients who were HIV negative were enrolled in the study. Detection of stool parasites was made by microscopy of simple smear, formalin-ether concentration method, modified acid-fast and modified trichrome staining techniques. Species identification of microsporidia spores was made by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cases in which serial fecal examinations were negative were subjected to gastroduodenoscopy and/or colonoscopy. Parasitic infections were found in 51 (56%) AIDS patients with chronic diarrhea and in 18 (17%) non-HIV cases (p < 0.001). Microsporidia and Cryptosporidium parvum were the most common parasites found in HIV infected patients and were also significantly more prevalent than in non-HIV infected cases [29% vs 0% for microsporidia, (p < 0.001), and 25% vs 1% for C. parvum, (p < 0.001)]. Species identification of microsporidia spores in 26 patients using TEM revealed Enterocytozoon bieneusi in 19 cases. This study indicated that microsporidia and C. parvum are important pathogenic causes of chronic diarrhea in AIDS patients in Thailand.

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Published

01-03-1999

How to Cite

Wanachiwanawin, D. ., Manatsathit, S., Lertlaituan, P. ., Thakerngpol, K. ., & Suwanagool, P. (1999). Intestinal Parasitic Infections in HIV and non-HIV Infected Patients with Chronic Diarrhea in Thailand. Siriraj Medical Journal, 51(3), 147–152. Retrieved from https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/sirirajmedj/article/view/246876

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Original Article