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Lower prevalence of Blastocystis sp. infections in HIV positive compared to HIV negative adults in Ghana
- Source :
- PLoS ONE, PLOS ONE, 14(10):e0224000, PLoS ONE, Vol 14, Iss 9, p e0221968 (2019)
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- Public Library of Science, 2019.
-
Abstract
- BackgroundSub-Saharan Africa is endemic for intestinal parasites and distinguished for the largest burden of HIV cases. Blastocystis sp. is one of the most common protists infecting humans but its role in human disease is still controversial. Aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in HIV positive and negative adults in Ghana and its association with immune status and other risk factors.Methods122 HIV positive outpatients and 70 HIV negative blood donors from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana, were included in the present study. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected and HIV positive patients distinguished for CD4+ T cell count 200 cells/μl (n = 68). A Blastocystis's phylogenetic analysis was performed to determine sample subtype (ST).ResultsThe prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in adult HIV positive individuals was lower than in HIV negative persons (6.6% vs. 20.0%, p = 0.008) and Blastocystis sp. ST1 was the most prevalent strain. Within HIV positive participants, the prevalence of Blastocystis sp. was lower in those individuals with CD4+ T cell count ConclusionIt is largely reported that people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Africa are affected from parasite infections and that co-infections may adversely impact on their immune status, accelerating progress to AIDS and worsening gastrointestinal manifestations. Differently, in this study Blastocystis sp. was associated with a better immune status jointly with a healthy body weight while it seems to be reduced with the progression of HIV infection. This data agree with recent suggestions that Blastocystis sp. can represent a component of the healthy gut microbiota.
- Subjects :
- RNA viruses
Science
Immune Cells
Immunology
Antiretroviral Therapy
Viral diseases
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Microbiology
White Blood Cells
Immunodeficiency Viruses
Antiviral Therapy
Animal Cells
Retroviruses
Medicine and Health Sciences
Public and Occupational Health
Microbial Pathogens
Protozoans
Blood Cells
Settore VET/06 - Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie degli Animali
Biology and life sciences
T Cells
Settore BIO/12
Lentivirus
Organisms
Eukaryota
HIV
Cell Biology
Vaccination and Immunization
Parasitic Protozoans
Diagnostic medicine
Gastrointestinal Tract
Infectious Diseases
Medical Microbiology
Viral Pathogens
Co-Infections
Blastocystis
Viruses
Medicine
Antiretroviral therapy
HIV clinical manifestations
Gastrointestinal tract
T cells
HIV infections
Co-infections
Preventive Medicine
Pathogens
Cellular Types
Anatomy
Digestive System
Research Article
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19326203
- Volume :
- 14
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PLoS ONE
- Accession number :
- edsair.pmid.dedup....73a0e481f76ccb0cb4a5032dfa68e61a