Increased Risk for Entamoeba histolytica Infection and Invasive Amebiasis in HIV Seropositive Men Who Have Sex with Men in Taiwan

2008

Increased Risk for Entamoeba histolytica Infection in HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex with Men in Taiwan

Sample size: 1109 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Hung Chien-Ching, Ji Dar-Der, Sun Hsin-Yun, Lee Ya-Tien, Hsu Shui-Yuan, Chang Sui-Yuan, Wu Cheng-Hsin, Chan Yun-Hsien, Hsiao Chin-Fu, Liu Wen-Chun, Colebunders Robert

Primary Institution: National Taiwan University Hospital

Hypothesis

HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) are at a higher risk of acquiring Entamoeba histolytica infection compared to other risk groups.

Conclusion

HIV-infected MSM are at significantly higher risk of amebiasis than patients from other risk groups, and treatment with metronidazole is effective.

Supporting Evidence

64 out of 1109 HIV-infected patients were diagnosed with invasive amebiasis.
89.1% of the patients with invasive amebiasis were men who have sex with men.
The incidence of E. histolytica infection in MSM was significantly higher than in other risk groups.

Takeaway

This study found that gay men with HIV are more likely to get a certain infection called amebiasis, but they can get better with medicine.

Methodology

The study reviewed medical records of HIV-infected patients diagnosed with invasive amebiasis and analyzed blood and stool samples for E. histolytica infection.