Objective: To understand the co-infection status of HIV and intestinal parasites in a HIV/AIDS highly endemic area in China.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in two villages in Fuyang City, Anhui Province, and the infection status of HIV and intestinal parasites were investigated by blood and fecal examinations.
Results: A total 769 individuals were enrolled in the investigation, and 720 of whom were participated in stool examinations for intestinal parasite infections. The infection rates of parasites were as follows: 0.56% for Ascaris lumbricoides, 4.03% for Hookworm, 0.28% for Trichuris trichiura, 0.42% for Clonorchis sinensis, 21.39% for Blastocystis hominis, 3.89% for Giardia lamblia, 1.67% for Entamoeba spp., 4.44% for Cryptosporidium spp.. The overall infection rate of intestinal worms and protozoan were 4.72% and 24.31%, respectively. The prevalence rate of anemia was 34.68%. The prevalence rate of HIV was 8.10%. The co-infection rate of HIV and intestinal helminthes was 2.17%, and that of HIV and intestinal protozoan was 28.26%, of which the co-infection rate of Blastocystis hominis and HIV were 19.57%. There was a significant difference between the infection rates of Cryptosporidium spp. in the HIV-positive group (13.04%) and HIV-negative group (4.70%) (P <0.05).
Conclusions: The infection rate of intestinal protozoan is higher than that of intestinal helminthes in local residents. The HIV-positive population is more susceptible to the infection of Cryptosporidium spp.