MICROSPORA INFILTRATION OF GASTROINTESTINAL EPITHELIUM AMONG HIV/AIDS PATIENTS IN KEFFI, NIGERIA

Abstract

The infiltration of Microsporidium species in HIV/AIDS patients was subjected to parasitological examination of stool specimens at the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi. Of the total number 200/93 (46.50%) were positive for Microsporidium species. Giemsa method was used and High infection rate was observed in both sexes (50.00%) and Civil servants (50.00%) were most vulnerable to microsporidium infection. The species, Enterocyto zoonbieneusi and Encephalito zoonintestinalis (21.50%) got infiltrated in the gastrointestinal
epithelium of of HIV/AIDS patients with a significant association of microsporidium and HIV virus (χ2 = 3.288 < 7.815, df = 3). However, diarrhoea was frequent in the ages of 21 and 40 years (3 – 10 times bowel/ day). This condition was considered a significant cause of death and accelerates the patient’s illness with dehydration and emaciation seen among patients. This calls for strict hygienic conditions to avoid infection with microsporidia spores contaminated in water or food