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MICROSPORIDIOSIS IN VENEZUELA: PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL MICROSPORIDIOSIS AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO DIARRHEA IN A GROUP OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS–INFECTED PATIENTS FROM ZULIA STATE

Microsporidia are recognized as a cause of morbidity among patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Infection rates for intestinal microsporidiosis in HIV-infected patients from Venezuela are unknown. To determine the prevalence and pathogenic role of microsporidia in these patients in northwestern Venezuela, a case control study was conducted in 103 outpatients (mean ± SD age = 37.3 ± 5.6 years). Microsporidia were detected using unconcentrated formalin-fixed stools examined by Weber’s chromotrope-based staining method. For identification of coccidia, modified Ziehl-Neelsen carbolfuchsin staining of formalin-ether concentrates were used, and for other pathogenic parasites, iron hematoxylin–stained smears and formalin-ether concentrates were examined. Microsporidial infections were detected in 14 (13.6%) of 103 patients and 39 (37.9%) had other parasitic pathogens. No significant difference was noted in the occurrence of the infection in patients with diarrhea (13 of 74, 17.6%) and controls (1 of 29, 3.4%) (P = 0.118). Nevertheless, this result may be due to the small sample size (n = 14) of infected individuals. The proportions of other pathogens in patients with or without diarrhea were not significantly different (P = 0.828). Microsporidiosis is common among the HIV-infected population in northwestern Venezuela. However, its pathogenic role in these patients is uncertain and warrants further investigation.

Received August 8, 2005. Accepted for publication October 31, 2005.

Acknowledgments: We thank Dr. Luis Quijada (Unidad Regional de Inmnología) and the 103 HIV-infected patients for their participation in this study.

^* Address correspondence to Leonor Chacin-Bonilla, Av. 2, Edificio Imataca, Apartamento 13 A, Maracaibo, Venezuela, 4002-105. E-mail: leonorbonilla42{at}yahoo.com

Authors’ addresses: Leonor Chacín-Bonilla, Postgrado de Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Zulia, Calle 65 con Av. 19 Apartado Postal 15165, Maracaibo, Venezuela. Amelia P. Panunzio and Irene E. Parra-Cepeda, Departamento de Salud Pública y Social, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Zulia, Calle 65 con Av. 19 Apartado Postal 15165, Maracaibo, Venezuela. Francisca M. Monsalve-Castillo, Cátedra de Virología Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Zulia, Calle 65 con Av. 19 Apartado Postal 15165, Maracaibo, Venezuela. Rodrigo Martínez, Unidad Regional de Inmunología, Hospital General del Sur, Carretera vía Perijá, Km 1, Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Reprints requests: Leonor Chacin-Bonilla, Av. 2, Edificio Imataca, Apartamento 13 A, Maracaibo, Venezuela, 4002-105. E-mail: leonorbonilla42{at}yahoo.com.