Coinfection with Hymenolepis nana, Hymenolepis diminuta, Giardia intestinalis, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Case Report with Complex Immunologic Interactions

Gladymar Pérez-Chacón Cátedra de Parasitología, Escuela de Medicina “José María Vargas,” Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.

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Leonor A. Pocaterra Cátedra de Parasitología, Escuela de Medicina “José María Vargas,” Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.

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Elsy Rojas Laboratorio de Parasitosis Intestinales, Escuela de Medicina “José María Vargas,” Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.

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Aurora Hernán Cátedra de Parasitología, Escuela de Medicina “José María Vargas,” Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.

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Juan Carlos Jiménez Laboratorio de Bioquímica, Instituto de Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.

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Luz Núñez Cátedra de Parasitología, Escuela de Medicina “José María Vargas,” Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.

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We describe the case of a 43-year-old human immunodeficiency virus–infected man receiving combined antiretroviral therapy and coinfected with Hymenolepis nana, Hymenolepis diminuta, and Giardia intestinalis, presenting as chronic diarrhea and critical weight loss. Immunological aspects of these interactions are reviewed.

Author Notes

* Address correspondence to Gladymar Pérez-Chacón, Cátedra de Parasitología, Escuela de Medicina “José María Vargas,” Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Edificio 2, Segundo piso, Esquina de Pirineos, San José, Caracas 1010, Venezuela. E-mail: gladymar@gmail.com

Authors' addresses: Gladymar Pérez-Chacón, Leonor A. Pocaterra, Aurora Hernán, and Luz Núñez, Cátedra de Parasitología, Universidad Central de Venezuela Escuela de Medicina Jose Maria Vargas, Caracas, Venezuela, E-mails: gladymar@gmail.com, leopoca@gmail.com, aurorahrnn@hotmail.com, and nenagold@gmail.com. Elsy Rojas, Laboratorio de Parasitosis Intestinales, Universidad Central de Venezuela Escuela de Medicina “José María Vargas,” Caracas, Venezuela, E-mail: elsyrjs@hotmail.com. Juan Carlos Jiménez, Laboratorio de Bioquímica, Instituto de Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela, E-mail: jcjimenez488@hotmail.com.

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