OPPORTUNISTIC AND NON-OPPORTUNISTIC PARASITES IN HIV-POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE PATIENTS WITH DIARRHOEA IN TANZANIA

A survey on intestinal parasites in a rural area of Tanzania revealed the presence of eight protozoa and seven helminths in 287 subjects (81 .8%). The prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica and Ascaris lumbricoides was higher in HIV-negative than in HIV-positive patients (P < 0.01; P < 0.04) (25.1% and 12.5% for E. histolytica; 10.5% and 3.7% for A. lu mbricoides). On the other hand, Cryptosporidium parvum, Isospora belli and Strongyloides stercoralis prevalence was higher in HIV-positive t han in HIV-negative patients (P < 0.01). The prevalence of these two o pportunistic protozoa was also higher in AIDS patients than in HIV-pos itive patients without AIDS. Specific anti-C. parvum IgG were detected by ELISA in 18% and 56% of HIV-negative and positive patients, respec tively, confirming the high number of contacts between this parasite a nd humans. Specific anti-Encephalitozoon cuniculi and anti-Encephalito zoon hellem IgG were detected by IFA in 18% and 19% of subjects, respe ctively, without any correlation with HIV and malaria infections.