CD4 Counts and Protozoan Infections in HIV Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Tuli Lekha, Gulati Anil K, Sundar Shyam, Mohapatra Tribhuban M
Primary Institution: Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
Hypothesis
What is the correlation between CD4 counts and enteric protozoan infections in HIV patients across different seasons?
Conclusion
The study found an inverse relationship between CD4 counts and the duration of diarrhea, with the highest incidence of infection occurring in the rainy season.
Supporting Evidence
- 78.5% of patients with acute diarrhea had intestinal protozoa.
- 36.6% of patients showed immune restoration after treatment.
- Cryptosporidium spp. was the most commonly detected parasite in HIV patients.
Takeaway
HIV patients with lower CD4 counts are more likely to have diarrhea caused by protozoan infections, especially during the rainy season.
Methodology
Stool samples were collected from 366 HIV positive patients with diarrhea, and CD4 counts were recorded to assess the status of HIV infection vis-à-vis parasitic infection.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on self-reported data and the absence of a control group for HIV positive patients.
Limitations
Immune restoration was clinically assessed, and the study relied on a screening method for Microsporidia spp.
Participant Demographics
Majority of participants were male (74.0%) aged 31-40 years, primarily from Varanasi and rural areas of Eastern UP.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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