Abstract
BackgroundIn South Africa, studies on the prevalence of intestinal helminth co-infection amongst HIV-infected patients as well as possible interactions between these two infections are limited.AimTo investigate the prevalence of intestinal helminth infestation amongst adults living with HIV or AIDS at Mthatha General Hospital.SettingStudy participants were recruited at the outpatient department of Mthatha General Hospital, Mthatha, South Africa.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted between October and December 2013 amongst consecutive consenting HIV-positive adult patients. Socio-demographic and clinical information were obtained using data collection forms and structured interviews. Stool samples were collected to investigate the presence of helminths whilst blood samples were obtained for the measurement of CD4+ T-cell count and viral load.ResultsData were obtained on 231 participants, with a mean age of 34.9 years, a mean CD4 count of 348 cells/µL and a mean viral load of 4.8 log10 copies/mL. Intestinal helminth prevalence was 24.7%, with Ascaris Lumbricoides (42.1%) the most prevalent identified species. Statistically significant association was found between CD4 count of less than 200 cells/µL and helminth infection (p = 0.05). No statistically significant association was found between intestinal helminth infection and the mean CD4 count (p = 0.79) or the mean viral load (p = 0.98).ConclusionA high prevalence of intestinal helminth infections was observed amongst the study population. Therefore, screening and treatment of helminths should be considered as part of the management of HIV and AIDS in primary health care.
Highlights
Helminths are the most common parasitic agents of humans in Africa and other developing countries, producing a burden of disease that exceeds better-known conditions, including malaria and tuberculosis.[1]
Sub-Saharan Africa bears an inordinate proportion of the global HIV pandemic, being home to more than two-thirds of the estimated 35.3 million people worldwide living with HIV in 2012.2 There is significant overlaps in the geographical distribution of HIV and helminthiasis, and co-infection is highly endemic in this region.[3]
The study revealed that intestinal helminth infection was relatively common amongst the study population, with 24.7% prevalence
Summary
Helminths are the most common parasitic agents of humans in Africa and other developing countries, producing a burden of disease that exceeds better-known conditions, including malaria and tuberculosis.[1] Sub-Saharan Africa bears an inordinate proportion of the global HIV pandemic, being home to more than two-thirds of the estimated 35.3 million people worldwide living with HIV in 2012.2 There is significant overlaps in the geographical distribution of HIV and helminthiasis, and co-infection is highly endemic in this region.[3]. Helminths were identified in 21.7% of stool specimen from adults obtained from some public hospital laboratories in Kwazulu-Natal Province.[8] data on the prevalence of intestinal parasites in the country’s adult population are insufficient. In South Africa, studies on the prevalence of intestinal helminth co-infection amongst HIV-infected patients as well as possible interactions between these two infections are limited
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