HIV infection and opportunistic infections due to coccidia in immunocommitted patients

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a viral disease that, over time, causes the destruction of CD4+ lymphocytes in the immune system. With this considerable increase in the population infected with HIV, there has been an increase in cases of opportunistic enteroparasitic infections, such as intestinal coccidia, highlighting the presence of the genus Cryptosporidium, Cystoisospora belli, and Cyclospora cayetanensis. The objective of this study was to evaluate HIV infection and opportunistic infections due to coccidia in immunocompromised patients, using a descriptive documentary design methodology. With systematic review of scientific articles from up to the last 5 years. The results of the research identified Cryptosporidium as the parasite most commonly involved in coccidiosis. Immunodeficient patients are highly susceptible to coccidial infections, highlighting the frequency of use of the direct microscopy technique, using modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining. The impact that coccidial infections have on the progression of HIV disease is severe and in some cases even fatal. Early identification of coccidial infections allows appropriate treatments to be initiated.