Intestinal Parasites Infestation among People Living with HIV under Antiretroviral Therapy in Peri-urban Area of Yaoundé, Cameroon

Introduction: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) targets the body's defense system and leads to a decrease in CD4 T-cells in lymphoid tissues associated with intestinal mucosa, leading to an imbalance in the gastrointestinal tract. This study was performed to determine the intestinal parasites infestation among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in peri-urban area in Yaounde, Cameroon. Methods: A retro-prospective, prospective, and descriptive study was carried out from January-March 2017 to the Care Unit of the Nkolondom II Catholic Medical Center in Yaounde on 96 PLHIV after providing informed consent. On each stool sample collected, intestinal parasites testing was performed by using direct examination with physiological saline and Lugol's iodine, Ritchie's technique (formol/ether, 10%) and by Ziehl-Neelsen staining. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS version 17 software, with all P <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 52.08% (50/96) were infested with various parasites: Cryptosporidium parvum (72.88%), Cyclospora cayetanensis (10.17%), Entamoeba histolytica (8.47%), Entamoeba coli (5.08%), Ascaris lumbricoїdes (1.70%) and Giardia lamblia (1.70%). Parasite’s prevalence was more observed in women (74.00%; 37/50) compared with men (26.00% [13/50]). Depending on immunity, immuno-compromised patients (CD4 count ≤500 cells/mm3) were more infested (82.00%; 41/50) versus (vs) 18.00% (9/50), OR: 1.60 (95%CI: 0.60-4.60). Conclusion: Intestinal parasites infestation is reported to be high among people under ART in Cameroon's Yaounde locality, with Cryptosporidium parvum being the predominant circulating species in this locality.