SEASONAL VARIATION OF INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTIONS AMONG HIV-POSITIVE PATIENTS IN BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are a number of conflicting studies on the prevalence of intestinal parasiticinfections in HIV infection with regards to different seasons. This study was conducted to determineseasonal influence on the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in HIV-positive persons in BeninCity, Nigeria.METHODS: Stool specimens from 2000 HIV-positive patients and 500 controls (HIV-negativeindividuals) were examined for ova, cysts or parasites using standard procedures.RESULTS: More intestinal parasitic infections were observed in the rainy season (17.6%) than the dryseason (12.3%) (OR = 1.526, 95% CI = 1.184, 1.967, p = 0.0013). Male patients (18.3) had more episodesof intestinal parasitic infections than their female (13.7) counterparts (OR = 1.403, 95% CI = 1.092,1.803, p = 0.0096).CONCLUSION: Cryptosporidium species and Strongyloides stercoralis were the only parasitic agentsthat were associated with rainy season.