Cryptosporidiosis and Isosporosis among AIDS Patients with Chronic Diarrhea in Thailand

Abstract

Cryptosporidium parvum and Isospora belli are coccidian protozoa responsible for significant gastrointestinal disease in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. The present study was designed to determine the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis and isosporosis in AIDS patients with chronic diarrhea in Thailand. Ninety-one patients from Siriraj Hospital and Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Hospital were enrolled in this study. Of the 23 cases (25.3%) of cryptosporidiosis, 22 were diagnosed by modified acid-fast stain, whereas in another patient the diagnosis was made by histopathology. Isospora belli was found in 8 patients (8.8%) by simple smear and modified acid-fast techniques. With transmission electron microscopy, Cryptosporidium oocysts in fecal specimens were also identified.