Cryptosporidium identification in HIV-Infected Humans. Experience from Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo

Acta Parasitol. 2015 Dec;60(4):638-44. doi: 10.1515/ap-2015-0090.

Abstract

Cryptosporidium is an important protozoan parasite affecting HIV/AIDS patients. To determine the prevalence and the species of Cryptosporidium spp by developing a rapid and efficient real-time PCR-RFLP test. A cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV-infected adults from Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Stool specimens were examined by microscopic evaluation and real-time PCR-RFLP. Out of 242 HIV-infected adults, 10 (4.1%) cases of Cryptosporidium were identified by microscopic examination. Using PCR-RFLP, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp was 5.4% (n = 13). All the 13 cases of Cryptosporidium spp had the stage of AIDS of HIV infection. Extracted DNA was amplified by nested PCR targeting a 1030-bp fragment of the 18s RNA gene. RFLP analysis identified one C. parvum, four C. hominis and one non determined Cryptosporidium. The capacity to detect C. parvum, C. hominis and non-determined Cryptosporidium was present among our HIV-infected patients.

MeSH terms

  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cryptosporidiosis / diagnosis*
  • Cryptosporidiosis / epidemiology*
  • Cryptosporidiosis / parasitology
  • Cryptosporidium / classification*
  • Cryptosporidium / isolation & purification*
  • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal / chemistry
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo / epidemiology
  • Feces / parasitology
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • Humans
  • Microscopy
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
  • Prevalence
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan
  • DNA, Ribosomal
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S