Intestinal Helminths in relationship to Chronic Diarrhoea in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Seropositive Adults in Enugu

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and intestinal helminthiasis are common conditions in Nigeria. Chronic diarrhoea is a common manifestation of acquired immune deficiency syndrome ( AIDS). Helminths such as Strongyloides stercoralis and Trichuris trichiura may cause chronic diarrhoea especially in immunocompromised individuals. In order to determine whether any relationship exists between HIV infection and intestinal helminthiasis, stool samples from all HIV seropositive adults (with or without diarrhoea) admitted to the medical wards of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu from August 1996 to October 1998 were examined microscopically for helminths. Out of 383 HIV-seropositive patients studied, 181 (47.26%) presented with chronic diarrhoea whereas 202 (52.74%) had no diarrhoea. The overall prevalence rate of gut helminths was 17.74%. The prevalence rate in the patients with chronic diarrhoea was 19.34% and that of those without chronic diarrhoea was 16.34%. The difference was not statistically significant. The helminths identified were Ascaris lumbricoides, Hookworm, Strongyloides stercoralis and Trichuris trichiura but there was no statistically significant difference in the two groups of patients. The study showed that there may be no clearcut relationship between gut helminths and HIV infection.