Co-infection of intestinal protozoa and intestinal parasites with Helicobacter pylori among HIV AIDS patients at Jimma Medical Center, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background

Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV) infected people are at increased chance of immunocompromission. In combination with this immunocompromission, the incidence of co-infection with intestinal parasites, intestinal protozoal and Helicobacter pylori can be escalated by different factors including similar mode of transmission, poor economic status, synergistic pathogenesis, and geographic topography of more than two organisms. A large number of world population is either affected or at risk of infection from diversified intestinal parasites, intestinal protozoal and H. pylori.

Objective

The study determined the prevalence of H. pylori with intestinal parasites and intestinal protozoal co-infection among HIV positive individuals and factors associated to the co-infection at Jimma University Medical Center (JUMC); Jimma, Ethiopia.

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional study included 384 HIV positive patients using consecutive sampling technique. Stool sample was examined using normal saline to diagnosis intestinal parasites and with lugol's Iodine for active motile intestinal protozoa and the stool sample was concentrated by formalin-ethyl acetate and stained with Kinyoun-modified acid-fast stain to stain coccidian protozoa H. pylori was diagnosed by antigen test using Wondfo one Step H. pylori feces test.

Result

In this study, gender distribution was 177(46.1 %) males and 207(53.9 %) females. About 179 were between 10 and 20 years. The prevalence of H. pylori, intestinal parasites and intestinal protozoal infection among HIV positive individuals were 27.6 % 24.4 % and 6.5 % respectively. The overall prevalence of both intestinal parasites and intestinal protozoal co-infection with H. pylori was 20.7 %. Positive associations of co-infection with source of drinking water, animal contact, finger nail trimming, economic status and shoe-wearing habits as significant variables.

Conclusion and recommendation

A notable co-infection involving H. Pylori alongside intestinal parasites and intestinal protozoa was identified. It was acknowledged that the sanitary and socio-economic conditions could serve as potential risk factors associated with co-infection. Enhancing hygiene and sanitation practices is essential to interrupt the transmission pathways of intestinal parasites, H. Pylori, and intestinal protozoa, particularly for individuals with weakened immune systems, including those living with AIDS.