Intestinal parasitic and candida infection associated with HIV infection in Cameroon

Leopold Gustave Lehman; Lafortune Kangam; Marthe-Lilianne Mbenoun; Eveline Zemo Nguepi; Noël Essomba; Calvin Tonga; Charles Felix Bilong Bilong

doi:10.3855/jidc.2757

Intestinal parasitic and candida infection associated with HIV infection in Cameroon

Authors

Leopold Gustave Lehman University of Douala, Cameroon
Lafortune Kangam University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon
Marthe-Lilianne Mbenoun University of Douala, Cameroon
Eveline Zemo Nguepi Douala Laquintinie Hospital, Cameroon
Noël Essomba National AIDS Control Committee, Littoral region, Cameroon
Calvin Tonga University of Buea, Cameroon
Charles Felix Bilong Bilong University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.2757

Keywords:

intestinal pathogens, CD4 count, HIV infection

Abstract

Introduction: HIV causes progressive impairment of the cellular immune system leading to increased susceptibility to infectious agents. Parasitic infestations are common in HIV-infected patients and usually lead to diarrhoea. Few studies have addressed the issue of intestinal parasites among HIV-infected persons in Cameroon. This investigation was conducted in Douala, Cameroon, to assess the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in HIV-infected patients, taking into account their immune status and treatment course.

Methodology: Stool and blood samples were collected from 201 HIV-positive patients for the investigation of intestinal pathogens and CD4⁺counts.

Results: Fifty-six (27.9%) patients harbored pathogens. The most frequent pathogens were Candida spp. (14.9%), Cryptosporidium spp. (7.5%), Entamoeba histolytica, and Entamoeba dispar (3%). The presence of pathogens was significantly associated with diarrhoea, as they were found in 48.6% of diarrhoeic stools and 23.2% of non-diarrhoeic stools (OR = 3.14, p= 0.0018). Prevalence of pathogens and diarrhoea were significantly higher in patients with CD4⁺counts ≤ 200 cells/µL (OR = 2.17, p = 0.0349 and OR = 8.46, p = 0.000019 respectively).

Conclusions: This study highlights the need for investigating intestinal pathogens in HIV-infected patients presenting with diarrhoea, especially when their CD4⁺ counts are low.

Author Biographies

Leopold Gustave Lehman, University of Douala, Cameroon

Associate professor in parasitology and immunology

Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science

Lafortune Kangam, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon

Student in Parasitology

Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science

Marthe-Lilianne Mbenoun, University of Douala, Cameroon

Doctor in Infectiology

Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Eveline Zemo Nguepi, Douala Laquintinie Hospital, Cameroon

Biologist in Laquintinie Hospital

Noël Essomba, National AIDS Control Committee, Littoral region, Cameroon

Coordinator in National AIDS Control Committee

Calvin Tonga, University of Buea, Cameroon

Student at University of Buea

Charles Felix Bilong Bilong, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon

Professor in Parasitology

Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science

Downloads

Published

2013-02-15

How to Cite

Lehman LG, Kangam L, Mbenoun M-L, Zemo Nguepi E, Essomba N, Tonga C, Bilong Bilong CF (2013) Intestinal parasitic and candida infection associated with HIV infection in Cameroon. J Infect Dev Ctries 7:137–143. doi: 10.3855/jidc.2757

Download Citation

Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 02: February 2013

Section

Original Articles

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).