Helminthic infections,Malnutrition and CD4 count in HIV/AIDS patients

Helminthic parasites are type of parasites that reside in the human gastro intestinal tract (GIT). Helminthic infections (HIs) are among the most serious infections in patients with HIV/ AIDS. Nutritional status has been associated with immune status and function, as well as with the risk of HI, all of which tend to lead to a more rapid HIV disease progression. This study was aimed at assessing HIs in relation to nutritional status and CD4+ T- cell count among HIV/AIDS patients attending Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital (FHRH), Bahir Dar. A total of 399 fecal and blood samples were collected from the study subjects. Parasitological; direct wet mount, formol ether concentration, Bearmann and Harada mori culture were used for detection of ova and larval forms of helminthes. CD4+ T-cell count was done to evaluate immunologic status of the study subjects and hemoglobin level was determined to assess the magnitude of anemia and its association with HI and HIV disease progression. Finally, nutritional status of the study subjects was assessed using Anthropometric and Subjective global assessment (SGA).