Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Coccidiosis in HIV/AIDS Patients in Fasa, Southwestern Iran

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has changed the epidemiology and prognosis of intestinal opportunistic parasitic infections. The present study was done to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal coccidiosis in HIV/AIDS patients with gastroenteritis.

This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Laboratory of HIV/AIDS Research Station of Fasa University of Medical Sciences, in southern Iran, from October 2013 to December 2020. Demographic data were collected by interviewing 68 participants (54 males and 14 females). Fecal samples were sent and examined for opportunistic parasites using wet mount, formalin-ethyl acetate method, acid-fast stain, nested polymerase chain reaction for the detection and confirmation of Cryptosporidium spp., Isospora belli, Cyclospora cayetanensis.

The findings confirmed 2 cases (2.9%) infected with Giardia cysts, 1 case (1.5%) infected with Entamoeba coli cysts and 1 case (1.5%) infected with Cryptosporidium and I. belli co-infection in a man suffering from gastroenteritis.

This is the first detected case of gastroenteritis caused by co-infection of Cryptosporidium and I. belli in a man with AIDS occurring in the city of Fasa. If there are no other agents for gastroenteritis, the intestinal coccidiosis in such patients in Iran should not be ignored.