Cyclospora infection in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Diarrhea is a common clinical manifestation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The important protozoan pathogens causing diarrhea include cryptosporidium, microsporidium, Isospora belli and cyclospora besides giardia lamblia and entamoeba histolytica.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the present study was to determine the incidence of cyclospora (a coccidian protozoan) infection in HIV infected patients.

METHODOLOGY

Faecal smears were stained by modified acid fast staining method to demonstrate oocysts of cyclospora.

RESULTS

Out of 334 faecal specimens which were studied, cyclospora were identified in 22 cases (6.6 percent); and in 50 percent of the patients, there was a mixed infection with another protozoan parasite namely cryptosporidium.

CONCLUSION

Identification of this parasite is important because cyclosporiasis can be treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Outbreaks of cyclospora infection have been linked to waterborne transmission. Though adequately chlorinated water is free of coliforms, it can still contain cyclospora.