Seroprevalence of Entamoeba histolytica infection in HIV-infected patients in China

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2007 Nov;77(5):825-8.

Abstract

Seroprevalence of Entamoeba histolytica infection in HIV-infected individuals from Shanghai city, Anhui province, and Henan province, China, was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using crude antigen and a recombinant surface antigen, C-Igl, of the parasite. In 215 HIV-infected individuals, the positive rates for these antigens were 12.1% and 7.9%, respectively; these rates were significantly higher than the rates of 3.1% and 0.5%, respectively, in 191 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms who were not infected with HIV. There was no significant difference in seropositivity to E. histolytica between men and women. Seropositivity in HIV-infected individuals was higher in patients with a CD4(+) T cell count of < 200/microL. This is the first report showing a higher seroprevalence of E. histolytica infection in HIV-infected patients in China. Our results also suggest that HIV infection is a risk factor for infection with E. histolytica.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / blood
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / immunology
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood*
  • China / epidemiology
  • Dysentery, Amebic / blood
  • Dysentery, Amebic / epidemiology*
  • Dysentery, Amebic / immunology
  • Entamoeba histolytica / immunology*
  • Entamoeba histolytica / physiology
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / blood
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan