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. 2011 Jan;1(1):15-9.
doi: 10.4103/2229-5070.72112.

Enteric spore-forming opportunistic parasites in HIV / AIDS

Rohit Chawla  1 , R L Ichhpujani
Affiliations

Enteric spore-forming opportunistic parasites in HIV / AIDS

Rohit Chawla et al. Trop Parasitol. 2011 Jan.

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection causes progressive damage to both limbs of the immune system, which results in a plethora of opportunistic infections. Among the various opportunistic infections, gastrointestinal infections are very common in HIV / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Opportunistic spore-forming protozoal parasites, namely, Cryptosporidium parvum, Isospora belli, Cyclospora cayetanensis, and Microsporidia, play a major role in causing chronic diarrhea, accompanied with weight loss, in patients with HIV / AIDS. The purpose of this review is to discuss the salient microbiological, clinical, and diagnostic aspects of important enteric spore-forming opportunistic parasites in HIV / AIDS.

Keywords: Cryptosporidium parvum; Cyclospora cayetanensis; HIV / AIDS; Isospora belli; Microsporidia; Spore-forming protozoa.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared

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