Abstract
The number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases increases annually, and Indonesia has become the country with the fastest HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic spread among the five Southeast Asian countries. Indonesia entered the critical phase of HIV/AIDS infections after 5 out of the 33 provinces, namely, Papua, Jakarta, Bali, West Java, and East Java, reported HIV/AIDS epidemic since 2004. In AIDS pathophysiology and immune-suppression are severe, thus, opportunistic intestinal parasitic infections that cause diarrhea in HIV infection may be fatal. Several studies have suggested that Cryptosporidium parvum, Isospora belli, and Blastocystis hominis are the most common intestinal protozoan parasites categorized as AIDS associated illness. Diarrhea caused by parasites is considerably suspected in the cases of chronic and persistent diarrhea in adults, in an era of increasing HIV/AIDS cases nowadays. The present review highlights the current advances in etiologic agents of HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections among countries, epidemiology and prevalence, lifecycle, risk factors, examination methods, and treatment.
Highlights
Opportunistic parasitic infections are infections of parasite species that are mild or asymptomatic in immunocompetent people; in immunocompromised people they become fatal [1]
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is a complicated disease in humans, and suppresses the immune system [4,5]
The presence of opportunistic parasitic infections in HIV sufferers indicate that they are in the phase of AIDS
Summary
Opportunistic parasitic infections are infections of parasite species that are mild or asymptomatic in immunocompetent people; in immunocompromised people they become fatal [1]. Opportunistic parasitic infections, including worms and protozoa, are neglected tropical diseases that are targeted by the sustainable development goals to be eliminated by 2030 [2,3]. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is a complicated disease in humans, and suppresses the immune system [4,5]. Opportunistic parasitic infections are one of the most common health problems in patients with HIV/AIDS. The presence of opportunistic parasitic infections in HIV sufferers indicate that they are in the phase of AIDS. Most of these infections are severe, and often contribute to the death of infected individuals [4,5,6,7]. Early detection and treatment need to be carried out to ensure adequate management [8,9,10]
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