Intestinal apicomplexan parasitoses among a hospital-based population in Honduras, 2013-2019.

INTRODUCTION

Intestinal apicomplexa protozoa are a recognized cause of gastroenteritis. They are endemic in Honduras and their epidemiology varies in different population groups.

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors for cyclosporiasis, cryptosporidiosis, and cystoisosporiasis.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We conducted a case-control study in a hospital-based population. We performed the diagnosis using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique and collected the information from laboratory records and clinical charts.

RESULTS

Cyclosporiasis was associated with diarrhea (OR=2.28; 95%CI: 1.10-4.89), weight loss (OR=12.7; 95%CI: 2.49-122.00), watery stools (OR=2.42; 95%CI: 1.26-4.65), and infection with another protozoan (OR=3.13; 95%CI: 1.66-5.95). Cryptosporidiosis was associated with HIV infection (OR=15.43; 95%CI: 3.34-71.22), diarrhea (OR=3.52; 95%CI: 1.40-9.40), lymphopenia (OR=6.16; 95%CI: 1.99-18.98), and green color stools (OR=3.00; 95%CI: 1.23-7.30). Cystoisosporiasis was associated with HIV infection (OR=11.20; 95%CI: 3.53-35.44), diarrhea (OR=7.30; 95%CI: 1.89-28.52), leukopenia (OR=4.28; 95%CI: 1.33-13.75), green color stools (OR=11.59; 95%CI: 1.16-558.60), and Charcot-Leyden crystals (OR=11.59; 95%CI: 1.16-558.60).

CONCLUSIONS

In this hospital-based population from Honduras, HIV infection was a risk factor for cryptosporidiosis and cystoisosporiasis, but not for cyclosporiasis.