Cystoisospora belli associated persistent diarrhea in an AIDS patient

Abstract

Cystoisospora belli infection is regarded as an indicator disease of AIDS in Japan; however, only a few case reports showing this association are present. Our case study involved a 49-year-old Thai woman living in Japan since her marriage to a Japanese man. She was repeatedly hospitalized owing to persistent diarrhea. Considering her native country, she was suggested of having AIDS. Serological examination for HIV-1 tested positive, and C. belli infection was diagnosed on detection of oocysts in her stool samples. She was treated successfully for the parasitic infection with oral trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole therapy for 10 days. No AIDS-associated opportunistic infections other than cystoisosporiasis were detected. Thus, this study suggests that an immunocompromised individual with persistent and recurrent diarrhea should be examined to confirm for C. belli infection. Moreover, it is possible that a person in a high-latitude region will develop a parasitic infection common in tropical areas because of globalization.

Keywords: AIDS; Cystoisospora belli; Diarrhea.