Abstract :
Introduction: Gastrointestinal infections are very common in HIV patients, and diarrhea is a common clinical condition seen in them. With this observation, a study was conducted to find the parasites that cause opportunistic infections (OIs) and its association with immune status in the HIV-infected patients.
Materials and Method: This study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India, for 3 months, that is, from January to March 2013. Stool samples were collected and observed under microscope to detect diarrhea-causing parasites. Direct saline mount, iodine mount, and modified acid fast, modified trichrome stain were carried out. CD4 counts were measured by using FACS counting system.
Results: Among the 178 study participants who had diarrhea and who were on antiretroviral treatment, maximum parasites were observed in patients with CD4 counts
Keyword :
CD4; HIV patients; Opportunistic infection; Stool