Open AccessChronic Cystoisospora belli infection in a Colombian patient living with HIV and poor adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy
Author(s) -
Ana Luz Galván-Díaz,
Juan Carlos Alzate,
Esteban Villegas,
Sofía Giraldo,
Juan Carlos Castaño,
Gisela García-Montoya
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
biomédica/biomedica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.26
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 2590-7379
pISSN - 0120-4157
DOI - 10.7705/biomedica.5932
Subject(s) - medicine , antiretroviral therapy , immunology , opportunistic infection , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , aids related opportunistic infections , cryptosporidium , intensive care medicine , sida , viral disease , viral load , feces , biology , paleontology
Cystoisospora belli is an intestinal Apicomplexan parasite associated with diarrheal illness and disseminated infections in humans, mainly immunocompromised individuals such as those living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). An irregular administration of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV patients may increase the risk of opportunistic infections like cystoisosporiasis. We describe here a case of C. belli infection in a Colombian HIV patient with chronic gastrointestinal syndrome and poor adherence to HAART. His clinical and parasitological cure was achieved with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole treatment. Although a reduction in the number of C. belli cases has been observed since the use of HAART, this parasite still has to be considered as a differential diagnosis of diarrheal disease in HIV/AIDS patients. Effective interventions enhancing adherence to HAART should be included in HIV patient care programs.