Asmaa Ibrahim
Background and objective: Parasitic infections and Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) constitute a main public health problem in immunocompromised populations, especially in HIV patients. Each of them infects the gastrointestinal tract with similar clinical symptoms. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of H. pylori and its association with opportunistic parasites in HIV patients, moreover to estimate risk and predictive factors for co-infection. Methodology: Single fecal samples were collected from 70 HIV patients in Khartoum State, Sudan, with age ranging from 13years to 60 years. All stool samples were microscopically examined using Iodine and acid-fast stain to detect ova, cyst and coccidian. Copro-DNAs detection of H. pylori and Cryptosporidium were performed using nested-PCR assays. Results:H.pylori was detected in 21.4% of HIV individuals molecularly; also opportunistic and intestinal parasites were detected in 74.3%, with the predominance of Cryptosporidium, E. histolyticaand G.duodinalis (28.5%, 27.1%, and 22.8% respectively). 36.5% had co-infection with H. pylori colonized patients and associated with Cryptosporidium spp. and G. intestinalis. Abdominal pain and diarrhea showed significant association with co-infection of Cryptosporidium, Isospora, other parasites and H.pylori.
