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Pediatrics & Neonatal Healthcare 2017
September 11-12, 2017 Los Angeles, CA, USA
14th World Pediatrics &
Neonatal Healthcare Conference
Journal of Pediatric Health Care and Medicine Volume 1, Issue 1
Intestinal parasitosis in relation to CD4+ T cells levels and anemia among HAART
initiated and HAART naive pediatric HIV patients in model ART center, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia
Hylemariam Mihiretie
Wollega University, Ethiopia
Background: Intestinal parasites (IPs) are major concerns in most developing countries where HIV/AIDS cases
are concentrated and almost 80% of AIDS patients die of AIDS-related infections. In the absence of highly active
antiretroviral therapy (HAART), HIV/AIDS patients in developing countries unfortunately continue to suffer
from the consequences of opportunistic and other intestinal parasites. The aim of the study was to determine
the prevalence of intestinal parasites in relation to CD4 + T cells levels and anemia among HAART initiated and
HAART naïve pediatric HIV patients in a model ART center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methods: A prospective comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among HAART initiated and HAART
naive pediatric HIV/AIDS patients attending a model ART center at Zewditu Memorial Hospital between August
05, 2013 and November 25, 2013. A total of 180 (79 HAART initiated and 101 HAART naïve) children were
included by using consecutive sampling. Stool specimen was collected and processed using direct wet mount,
formol-ether concentration and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining techniques. A structured questionnaire was
used to collect data on socio-demographic and associated risk factors. CD4+ T cells and complete blood counts
were performed using BD FACSCalibur™ and CELL-DYN 1800, respectively. The data was analyzed by SPSS
version 16 software. Logistic regressions were applied to assess any association between explanatory factors and
outcome variables. P values <0.05 were taken as statistically significant.
Results: The overall prevalence of IPs was 37.8% where 27.8% of HAART initiated and 45.5% of HAART
naive pediatric HIV/AIDS patients were infected (p<0.05). Cryptosporidium species, E. histolytica/dispar,
Hook worm and Taenia species were IPs associated with CD4+ T cell counts <350 cells/μL in HAART naive
patients. The overall prevalence of anemia was 10% in HAART and 31.7% in non-HAART groups. Hook worm,
S. stercoralis and H. nana were helminths significantly associated with anemia in non-HAART patients [AOR,
95% CI: 4.5(1.3, 15.2), P< 0.05]. The prevalence of IPs in non-HAART patients was significantly associated with
eating unwashed/raw fruit [AOR, 95% CI: 6.3(1.2, 25.6), P<0.05], open field defecation [AOR, 95% CI: 9.3(1.6,
53.6), P<0.05] and diarrhea [AOR, 95% CI: 5.2(1.3, 21.3), P<0.05]. IPs significantly increased in rural residents
[AOR, 95% CI: 0.4(0.1, 0.9, P<0.05)].
Conclusion: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites significantly differed by HAART status and
cryptosporidium species were found only in HAART naïve patients with low CD4+ T cell counts. Anemia was
also more prevalent and significantly associated with IPs in non-HAART patients. This study identified some
environmental and associated risk factors for intestinal parasitic infections. Therefore, Public health measures
should continue to emphasize the importance of environmental and personal hygiene to protect HIV/AIDS
patients from infections with intestinal parasites and maximize the benefits of HAART.
Biography
Dr Hylemariam Mihiretie is currently working in Wollega University, Ethiopia. His research interests are pediatric HIV/AIDS, maternal and neonatal healthcare etc.