Cystoisosporiasis in Apparently Healthy subjects and HIV/AIDS patients in Minna, Niger State

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A random sampling and cross sectional study was carried out in General Hospital, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria using parasitological techniques to screen faecal samples for Cystoisospora belli. Blood samples of participants were also screened to determine the CD4 counts of infected subjects while Body Mass Index of subjects was determined to describe their nutritional status. A total of 783 individuals consisting of 317 apparently healthy subjects and 466 HIV/AIDs patients were screened for cystoisosporiasis. Out of the 783 subjects screened, 81 (10.34%) were positive for Cystoisospora belli. The infection was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in HIV/AIDs patients (12.45%) than in apparently healthy subjects (2.84%). The infection was more prevalent (6.69%) in males than in females (6.40%), (P < 0.05). The rate of infection in relation to age group was highest in subjects who were ≤10 years old (11.90%) and least in subjects who were 11 to 20 years old (4.24%). A significant difference in infection rate (P< 0.05) was found between the categories of subjects screened and age groups. The infection rate was highest (22.64%) in subjects who were nutritionally deficient and least (13.12%) in subjects with normal body mass index. Subjects with CD4 cell counts < 200 cells/µl had the highest infection rate (38.24%) while those with CD4 cell counts ≥ 500 cells/µl had the least infection rate (2.78%). Chi – square analysis showed significant difference (P < 0.05) in infection rates between the categories of subjects screened and CD4 counts.