Survey on co-infection with HIV and intestinal parasites in high prevalence areas of HIV/AIDS,China

Objective To understand the co-infection status of HIV and intestinal parasites in a HIV/AIDS highly endemic area in China.Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out in two villages in Fuyang City,Anhui Province,and the infection status of HIV and intestinal parasites were investigated by blood and fecal examinations.Results A total 769 individuals were enrolled in the investigation,and 720 of whom were participated in stool examinations for intestinal parasite infections.The infection rates of parasites were as follows: 0.56% for Ascaris lumbricoides,4.03% for Hookworm,0.28% for Trichuris trichiura,0.42% for Clonorchis sinensis,21.39% for Blastocystis hominis,3.89% for Giardia lamblia,1.67% for Entamoeba spp.,4.44% for Cryptosporidium spp..The overall infection rate of intestinal worms and protozoan were 4.72% and 24.31%,respectively.The prevalence rate of anemia was 34.68%.The prevalence rate of HIV was 8.10%.The co-infection rate of HIV and intestinal helminthes was 2.17%,and that of HIV and intestinal protozoan was 28.26%,of which the co-infection rate of Blastocystis hominis and HIV were 19.57%.There was a significant difference between the infection rates of Cryptosporidium spp.in the HIV-positive group(13.04%) and HIV-negative group(4.70%)(P 0.05).Conclusions The infection rate of intestinal protozoan is higher than that of intestinal helminthes in local residents.The HIV-positive population is more susceptible to the infection of Cryptosporidium spp..