Unusual Enterocytozoon bieneusi Genotypes and Cryptosporidium hominis Subtypes in HIV-Infected Patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy.

Akinbo FO, Okaka CE, Omoregie R, Adamu H, Xiao L.

Source

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria; Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria; School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria; Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.

Abstract

Abstract. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons are commonly infected with Cryptosporidium species and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in both developed and developing countries, particularly patients with CD4+ cell counts below 200 cells/μL; 285 HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) were enrolled in this study, and both stool and blood specimens were collected from participants. The stool specimens were analyzed and typed for E. bieneusi and Cryptosporidium spp. by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing. CD4 count was analyzed using flow cytometry. E. bieneusi and Cryptosporidium were detected in 18 (6.3%) and 4 (1.4%) patients, respectively. The E. bieneusi detected mostly belonged to a new genotype group that, thus far, has only been found in a few humans: genotype Nig4 in 2 patients and two new genotypes related to Nig4 in 12 patients. The Cryptosporidium detected included C. hominis (two patients), C. parvum (one patient), and C. felis (one patient), with the two C. hominis infections belonging to an unusual subtype family. Additional studies are required to determine whether some E. bieneusi genotypes and C. hominis subtypes are more prevalent in HIV patients on HAART.