Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica Among HIV/AIDS Positive and Negative Patients Attending Two Healthcare Facilities in Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Authors
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James, A.A.
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nigeria
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Yako, A.B.
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nigeria
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Ombugadu, R.J.
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nigeria
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Amuga, G.A.
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nigeria
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Danladi D.W.
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nigeria
Abstract
Entamoeba histolyticainfection remains an important source of morbidityrnand mortality particularly in developing countries of the world. In thisrnstudy, direct smears and formal ether concentration techniques werernused to identify E. histolytica while the automated Flow Cytometryrnmethod was employed in CD4 count estimation. The overall prevalencernof 90 (22.5%) was recorded, co-infection (HIV/AIDS and E.rnhistolytica) recorded 53 (26.5%) prevalence with significant associationrn(p<0.05). In relation to CD4 counts, 83 (15.7%) of HIV/AIDS positivernpatients with co-infection had increase in their CD4rn counts and 117rn(34.2%) patients on ART had low CD4rn counts with a significantrn(p<0.05) association between E.histolytica and HIV/AIDS infectionrnwith CD4 counts variation. Despite the fact that even after thernintroduction of free anti-retroviral drugs, opportunistic intestinalrninfections are still a threat.However, subjecting HIV/AIDS positivernpatients with low CD4 count below 200 and presenting diarrhoea tornroutine stool examination for E. histolyticawould significantly benefitrnthem in curbing the prevalence of the parasite.
Keywords: Entamoeba histolytica, HIV/AIDS positive, HIV negative, CD4 counts