Abstract: Background and Objective: Intestinal coccidia is one of the main causes of diarrheal infections among people living with HIV (PLHIV). The occurrence of diarrhoea in PLHIV affects their health status. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal coccidia in patients with HIV/AIDS and to investigate a possible correlation between these parasites and the CD4 count in patients. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in three health care centres of PLHIV in Abidjan. Socio-demographic, clinical and biological data were collected using a questionnaire. Stool and blood samples were collected. Parasitic coprology analysis included the direct microscopic examinations, the concentration techniques (Ritchie and kato-katz) and Ziehl Neelsen. The last one allowed the detection of the oocysts of the coccidia. Results: A total of 363 faecal samples were collected from 03 health care centres. The stool samples collected consisted of 47.65% of diarrhoea. The results of the microscopic analysis revealed 03 intestinal coccidia's namely Cryptosporidium spp. (3.86%), Isospora spp. (1.65%) and Cyclospora spp. (0.83%). The highest microscopic prevalence was recorded in Cryptosporidium spp. (3.86%). Intestinal coccidia was more common in females infected with type 1 of HIV. CD4 count was a significant factor in the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. (χ2 = 29.968, p-value = 0.0001) with a correlation coefficient of -0.2438. Conclusion: This study assessed the microscopic prevalence rates of intestinal coccidia, which are responsible for diarrheal disease among PLHIV. The current study also showed that the presence of these intestinal coccidia's could affect the immune system of PLHIV when the CD4 cell count is below 200 cells mm–3. PubDate: 20 October, 2021
Abstract: >Background and Objective: Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH) infection is diagnosed by using a conventional method like microscopy, egg numeration assay, serology based assay and egg culture. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has advantages over the traditional microscopy method as they are highly sensitive and specific. However, disruption of the hard eggs shell covering the STHs eggs may hamper the DNA extraction process. This study was carried out to compare the sensitivity of microscopy and conventional PCR techniques to detect A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and S. stercoralis using modified DNA extraction technique in stool samples. Materials and Methods: Prior to DNA extraction, the isolated eggs were subjected to floatation and sedimentation techniques were briefly boiled followed by freeze-thaw cycles. Around eight (n = 8) stool samples positive for STH were chosen randomly by microscopy were proceeded by PCR technique for identification of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura eggs and S. stercoralis larvae. Results: The presence of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura eggs were detected in all eight stool samples (100%) by microscopy examination while only six samples showed positive PCR amplification (sensitivity: 75%) for A. lumbricoides and two samples show positive PCR amplification (sensitivity:20%) for T. trichiura. On the other hand, there are no S. stercoralis were detected in all stool samples. Conclusion: Microscopy was proven to be rapid and inexpensive compare to PCR however, the additional study needs to standardize DNA extraction and conventional PCR protocol in order to increase diagnosis. PubDate: 12 March, 2021
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