Molecular characterization of Blastocystis subtypes in HIV-positive patients and evaluation of risk factors for colonization

Abstract Background: Blastocystis is one of the most common intestinal protozoa in human faecal samples with uncertain impact on public health. Studies on the prevalence of Blastocystis in HIV-positive patients are limited and dated. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 156 HIV-positive patients to evaluate the prevalence of Blastocystis-subtypes by molecular amplification and sequencing the small subunit rRNA gene (SSU rDNA), to identify the risk factors for its transmission, to examine the relationship between the presence of the protist and gastrointestinal disorders. Furthermore, the evaluation of the faecal calprotectin by immunoassay from a sample of subjects was performed to evaluate the gut inflammation in Blastocystis-carriers. Results: Blastocystis-subtypes ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4 were identified in 39 HIV-positive patients (25%). No correlation was found between the presence of the protist and virological or epidemiological risk factors. Blastocystis was more frequently detected in homosexual subjects (p=0.037) infected by other enteric protozoa (p= 0.0001) and with flatulence (p=0.024). No significant differences in calprotectin level was found between Blastocystis-carriers and free ones. Conclusions: Blastocystis is quite common in HIV-positive patients on ART showing in examined patients 25% prevalence. Homosexual behaviour may represent a risk factor for its transmission, while CD4 count and viremia didn’t correlate with the presence of the protist. The pathogenetic role of Blastocystis remains unclear and no gut inflammation status was detected in Blastocystis-carriers. The only symptom associated with Blastocystis was the flatulence, evidencing a link between the presence of the protist and the composition and stability of gut microbiota. Keywords: Blastocystis, subtype, PCR, HIV, Italy

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Molecular characterization of Blastocystis subtypes in HIV-positive patients and evaluation of risk factors for colonization

BMC Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1186/s12879-019-4537-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lucia Fontanelli Sulekova ◽

Simona Gabrielli ◽

Federica Furzi ◽

Giovanni Luigi Milardi ◽

Elisa Biliotti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Small Subunit ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Small Subunit Rrna ◽

Intestinal Protozoa ◽

Faecal Calprotectin ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Gut Inflammation

Abstract Background Blastocystis is one of the most common intestinal protozoa in human faecal samples with uncertain impact on public health. Studies on the prevalence of Blastocystis in HIV-positive patients are limited and dated. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 156 HIV-positive patients to evaluate the prevalence of Blastocystis-subtypes by molecular amplification and sequencing the small subunit rRNA gene (SSU rDNA), to identify the risk factors for its transmission, to examine the relationship between the presence of the protist and gastrointestinal disorders. Furthermore, the evaluation of the faecal calprotectin by immunoassay from a sample of subjects was performed to evaluate the gut inflammation in Blastocystis-carriers. Results Blastocystis-subtypes ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4 were identified in 39 HIV-positive patients (25%). No correlation was found between the presence of the protist and virological or epidemiological risk factors. Blastocystis was more frequently detected in homosexual subjects (p = 0.037) infected by other enteric protozoa (p = 0.0001) and with flatulence (p = 0.024). No significant differences in calprotectin level was found between Blastocystis-carriers and free ones. Conclusions Blastocystis is quite common in HIV-positive patients on ART showing in examined patients 25% prevalence. Homosexual behaviour may represent a risk factor for its transmission, while CD4 count and viremia didn’t correlate with the presence of the protist. The pathogenetic role of Blastocystis remains unclear and no gut inflammation status was detected in Blastocystis-carriers. The only symptom associated with Blastocystis was the flatulence, evidencing a link between the presence of the protist and the composition and stability of gut microbiota.

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Molecular characterization of Blastocystis subtypes in HIV-positive patients and evaluation of risk factors for colonization

10.21203/rs.2.12345/v2 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Lucia Fontanelli Sulekova ◽

Simona Gabrielli ◽

Federica Furzi ◽

Giovanni Luigi Milardi ◽

Elisa Biliotti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Intestinal Protozoa ◽

Faecal Calprotectin ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Gut Inflammation ◽

Epidemiological Risk ◽

Calprotectin Level ◽

Health Studies

Abstract Background Blastocystis is one of the most common intestinal protozoa in human faecal samples with uncertain impact on public health . Studies on the prevalence of Blastocystis in HIV-positive patients are limited and dated. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 156 HIV- positive patients to evaluate the prevalence of Blastocystis -subtypes by molecular amplification and sequencing of the SSU rDNA gene, to identify the risk factors for its transmission, to examine the relationship between the presence of the protist and gastrointestinal disorders. Furthermore, the evaluation of the faecal calprotectin by immunoassay from a sample of subjects was performed to evaluate the gut inflammation in Blastocystis- carriers. Results Blastocystis- subtypes ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4 were identified in 39 HIV-positive patients (25%). No correlation was found between the presence of the protist and virological or epidemiological risk factors. Blastocystis was more frequently detected in homosexual subjects (p=0.037) infected by other enteric protozoa (p= 0.0001) and with flatulence (p=0.024). No significant differences in calprotectin level was found between Blastocystis- carriers and free ones. Conclusions Blastocystis is quite common in HIV-positive patients on ART showing in examined patients 25% prevalence. Homosexual behaviour may represent a risk factor for its transmission, while CD4 count and viremia didn’t correlate with the presence of the protist. The pathogenetic role of Blastocystis remains unclear and no gut inflammation status was detected in Blastocystis- carriers. The only symptom associated with Blastocystis was the flatulence, evidencing a link between the presence of the protist and the composition and stability of gut microbiota.

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Molecular characterization of Blastocystis subtypes in HIV-positive patients and evaluation of risk factors for colonization

10.21203/rs.2.12345/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Simona Gabrielli ◽

Lucia Fontanelli Sulekova ◽

Federica Furzi ◽

Elisa Biliotti ◽

Giancarlo Iaiani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Intestinal Protozoa ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Faecal Samples ◽

Epidemiological Risk ◽

Calprotectin Level ◽

Health Studies

Abstract Background Blastocystis is one of the most common intestinal protozoa in human faecal samples with uncertain impact on public health. Studies on the prevalence of Blastocystis in HIV-positive patients are limited and dated. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 156 HIV- positive patients to evaluate the prevalence of Blastocystis subtypes, to identify the risk factors for its transmission, to examine the relationship between the presence of the protist and gastrointestinal disorders and to assess the level of calprotectin in Blastocystis-carriers. Results Blastocystis was identified in 39 patients (25%). No correlation was found between the presence of the protist and virological or epidemiological risk factors. Blastocystis was more frequently detected in homosexual subjects (p=0.037) infected by other enteric protozoa (p= 0.0001) and with flatulence (p=0.024). No significant differences in calprotectin level was found between Blastocystis-carriers and free ones. Conclusions Blastocystis is quite common in HIV-positive patients on ART and homosexual behaviour could represent a risk factor for its transmission. The pathogenetic role of Blastocystis remains unclear, as the only symptom associated with its presence was flatulence. This result is intriguing since flatulence is related to the composition and stability of gut microbiota.

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“Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Cryptosporidium: a cross-sectional study conducted throughout Thailand”

BMC Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1186/s12879-019-4422-4 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Rapeepun Prasertbun ◽

Hirotake Mori ◽

Yaowalark Sukthana ◽

Supaluk Popruk ◽

Teera Kusolsuk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Its Region ◽

Epidemiological Data ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Small Subunit ◽

Enterocytozoon Bieneusi ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Intestinal Protozoa ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

Abstract Background Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Cryptosporidium spp. are prevalent zoonotic parasites associated with a high burden among children. To date only limited molecular epidemiological data on E. bieneusi and Cryptosporidium spp. in humans living in Thailand has been published. Methods PCR-based tools were used to detect and characterize E. bieneusi and Cryptosporidium spp. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rRNA gene was used to investigate E. bieneusi, and the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene was used to investigate Cryptosporidium spp., and 697 fecal samples from villagers and school children in rural areas in Thailand were analyzed. Results The infection rates were 2.15% (15/697) for E. bieneusi and 0.14% (1/697) for Cryptosporidium spp. The prevalence of E. bieneusi was significantly high in Loei province. Sequence analysis indicated that the Cryptosporidium isolate was C. parvum. Nine E. bieneusi genotypes were identified, EbpC, Peru12, TMH6, TMH3, TMH7, H, D, and two novel genotypes TMLH1 and TMLH2. E. bieneusi prevalence was significantly higher in male participants than in female participants, and in children aged 3–15 years than in participants aged > 15 years. Conclusions The prevalence, genotypes, and zoonotic potential of E. bieneusi were found to vary significantly high even in one country. Transmission routes and key animal carriers of E. bieneusi may be associated with differences in hygiene, sanitation, and cultural behaviors. Further molecular studies including longitudinal studies will be required to unveil epidemiological characteristics of these opportunistic intestinal protozoa in all over the countries.

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High Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Risk Factors Among HIV-Positive Individuals in Yunnan, China

10.21203/rs.3.rs-936581/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Wei Tu ◽

Yu-Ye Li ◽

Yi-Qun Kuang ◽

Rong-Hui Xie ◽

Xing-Qi Dong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Genital Tract ◽

Mycoplasma Genitalium ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Multiple Infections ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

High Prevalence

Abstract Background Yunnan has the highest rates of HIV in the country. Other treatable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are associated with accelerated HIV transmission and poor ART outcomes, but are only diagnosed by syndromic algorithms. Methods We recruited 406 HIV-positive participants for a cross-sectional study (204 ART-naive and 202 ART). Blood samples and first-voided urine samples were collected. Real-time polymerase chain reaction methods were used for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG). Syphilis and HSV-2 tests were also performed. Results Among 406 participants, the overall prevalence of STI was 47.0% and 45.1% in ART-naive individuals and 49.0% in ART individuals, respectively. Testing frequency was 11.6% (11.8% vs 11.4%), 33.2% (29.4% vs 37.1%), 3.2% (3.4% vs 3.0%), 2.0% (3.4% vs 0.5%) and 4.7% (6.4% vs 3.0%) for active syphilis, HSV-2, chlamydia, gonorrhoeae and genitalium. Percentage of multiple infections in both groups was 10.8% (22/204) in ART-naive participants and 9.9% (20/202) in ART participants. Females, age between 18 to 35 years, ever injected drugs, homosexual or bisexual, HIV/HBV coinfection, and not receiving ART were identified as risk factors. Self-reported asymptom was not eliminating of having a laboratory-diagnosed STI. Conclusions STI prevalence was 47.0% (45.1% vs 49.0%), HSV-2, syphilis and MG were the most common STIs in HIV-infected individuals. We found high prevalence (6.4%) of Mycoplasma genitalium in ART-naive individuals. ART can reduce the diversity of STI-HIV coinfection but not the prevalence. HIV-positive individuals tend to neglect or maybe hide their genital tract discomfort, thus we suggest strengthening STI joint screening and treatment services among HIV-infected individuals whether they describe genital tract discomfort or not.

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Clinical and Obstetric Risk Factors for Postnatal Depression in HIV Positive Women: A Cross Sectional Study in Health Facilities in Rural KwaZulu-Natal

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17228425 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (22) ◽

pp. 8425

Author(s):

Nontokozo Lilian Mbatha ◽

Kebogile Elizabeth Mokwena ◽

Sphiwe Madiba

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

South Africa ◽

Postnatal Depression ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hiv Positive Women

Postnatal depression (PND) remains underdiagnosed and undertreated in different socio-economic backgrounds in South Africa. This study determined the prevalence of and clinical and obstetric risk factors for PND symptoms among HIV positive women in health facilities in a rural health district in South Africa. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to measure PND from 386 women who had delivered a live infant. More than half (58.5%) tested HIV positive during the current pregnancy. The prevalence of PND symptoms was 42.5%. Logistic regression analysis yielded significant associations between clinical and obstetric variables of pre-term baby (p-value < 0.01), baby health status p-value < 0.01), baby hospitalization, (p-value < 0.01), and knowing the baby’s HIV status (p-value = 0.047). Maternal variables associated with PND were level of education (p-value < 0.01), monthly income (p-value < 0.01), and source of income (p-value = 0.05). At multivariate analysis, none of the clinical and obstetrical risk factors were independently associated with the PND. The high prevalence of PND symptoms underscore the need to integrate routine screening for PND in prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV programmes to enable early diagnosing and treatment of PND.

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Molecular epidemiology, risk factors and hematochemical alterations induced by Theileria annulata in bovines of Punjab (India)

Acta Parasitologica ◽

10.1515/ap-2015-0053 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 60 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Ashuma Tuli ◽

Lachhman Das Singla ◽

Amrita Sharma ◽

Mandeep Singh Bal ◽

Gursimran Filia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Theileria Annulata ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Tropical Theileriosis ◽

Indigenous Cattle ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Blood Smear Examination ◽

Dairy Animals ◽

Theileria Spp

AbstractBovine tropical theileriosis, caused by Theileria annulata, is one of the economically important fatal tick borne haemoprotozoan diseases of dairy animals. The aim of present investigation was to map the distribution of T. annulata in bovines of Punjab state of India in relation to various risk factors including age, sex of animals, location and management of farms. In a cross sectional study, a total of 1278 blood samples were randomly collected from twenty districts falling in five major agro-climatic zones of Punjab. All the samples were screened by blood smear examination followed by polymerase chain reaction targeting SSU rRNA gene for Theileria spp. PCR positive samples (n = 386) for Theileria spp. were then analyzed for T. annulata by amplification of Tams1 gene. Overall prevalence of T. annulata was found to be 29.26% in Punjab, with highest in western Zone (40.49%, 95% CI = 35.57-45.41) and lowest in submountain zone (18.90%, 95% CI = 13.73-24.06). The propensity of incidence of T. annulata was found to be highest in cross bred cattle (32.40%, 95% CI = 29.87-34.94), followed by indigenous cattle (19.64%, 95% CI = 10.67-28.61) and buffaloes (19.2%, 95% CI = 14.99-23.41). Between the two sexes, incidence of T. annulata was higher in female animals. Calves less than 6 months of age were found to be more prone to theileriosis.

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Prevalence of syphilis in people living with HIV/AIDS: A Hospital based Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Health and Allied Sciences ◽

10.37107/jhas.153 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 42-45

Author(s):

Suresh Jaiswal ◽

Laxman Banstola ◽

Manisha Shrestha ◽

Srijana Sapkota ◽

Sujan Sharma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Transmitted Disease ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Health Concern ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Syphilis Infection ◽

Cross Sectional

Introduction: Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease is one of the oldest diseases caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, has been a major public health concern worldwide. The aim is to find out the prevalence of syphilis and its risk factors among people with HIV at Western Regional hospital in Nepal. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at one of the largest public hospitals in Western Region of Nepal. A consecutive 90 HIV-positive patients were recruited prospectively from December 2016 to February 2017. Blood samples and data on sociodemographic and risk factors were collected. Serum were diagnosed for syphilis using Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) test. Results: The prevalence of syphilis infection was 12.2% in HIV positive participants. Syphilis occurred exclusively in male 7 comparatively 4 in female. Seropositivity of syphilis was seen higher in married than unmarried HIV infected individuals. Syphilis prevalence seems to increase with increasing age, with the highest rate in the age group 35–50 years. A decreasing rate of syphilis was observed with increasing educational level, where illiterate HIV-positive participants had higher infection compared with those having at least a certificate. Conclusion: Higher prevalence of syphilis in people with HIV infection demands the need to target this people to prevent the transmission of both infections. Testing for all HIV-infected people for syphilis and management of the infected would have clinical and epidemiological importance.

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