Cryptosporidium infection among HIV positive and HIV negative out-patients attending selected HIV care hospitals in Gboko, Benue state, Nigeria

Cornelius Orjighjigh Ishar; Emmanuel Msugh Mbaawuaga; Mulumba Ifeanyi Ikeh; Obiageli Anthonia Okeke; Aboje Godwin Benedict; Ifebunandu Okwudilichukwu Nnatuanya; Ukanwa C.C; Aghalu U.C; Uzoma O.A; Obiakor U.A

doi:10.54117/jcbr.v4i3.3

Authors

Cornelius Orjighjigh Ishar Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Emmanuel Msugh Mbaawuaga Department of Biological sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
Mulumba Ifeanyi Ikeh Public health and environmental research group
Obiageli Anthonia Okeke Department of Zoology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Aboje Godwin Benedict Department of Science Technology, Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi
Ifebunandu Okwudilichukwu Nnatuanya Department of Zoology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Ukanwa C.C Department of Microbiology, Madonna University, Elele
Aghalu U.C
Uzoma O.A
Obiakor U.A

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54117/jcbr.v4i3.3

Keywords:

Cryptosporidium infection, Prevalence, out-patients, Gboko, Benue State

Abstract

Globally, Cryptosporidium infection continues to be of significant public health importance and one major causal organism of diarrhoea in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. This cross-sectional study was carried out to survey the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection among HIV positive and HIV negative subjects attending selected hospitals in Gboko Township. A total of 300 stool samples comprising 200 from HIV positive and 100 from HIV negative subjects were collected and analyzed using formol ether oocyst concentration technique and modified Ziehl Neelsen technique. Other information concerning demography and risk factors were obtained with the aid of structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using chi-square test and P≤0.05 were considered significant. Overall, 122 samples comprising 88 from HIV positive patients and 34 from HIV negative patients were positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts with an overall infection prevalence of 40.7%. Males recorded the highest prevalence of 42.9% while age group 50-59 had 50.0%. Patients who presented with watery stool had the highest Cryptosporidium infection rate of 81.8% while those who do not wash their hands and others who only wash occasionally after going to the toilet revealed the highest prevalence of 43.8%. Civil servants as well as patients who normally drink water from river/streams had higher prevalence of 45.8% and 60.0% respectively (P>0.05) when compared with their counterpart. Cryptosporidium infection was significantly associated with the consistency of the stool samples (P < 0.001). Hence, watery stool is strongly implicated as a sign of Cryptosporidium infection among HIV positive and HIV negative subjects in Gboko. Thus, improved sanitation and good personal hygiene should be adopted to avoid infection.