Zero prevalence of parasites associated with oral lesions of HIV infected and AIDS patients in South Western Uganda

E Agwu, J.C Ihongbe, V Pazos, J.F Tirwomwe

Abstract

Background: Despite paucity of information regarding oral lesions with parasitic etiology, parasitic diseases continue to be problematic among impoverished and immunocompromised individuals in developing countries.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of parasites in the oral lesions of Ugandan HIV infected and AIDS patients, in South Western Uganda.

Methods: Adult HIV/AIDS positive patients attending The AIDS Support Organization Clinics in South Western Uganda with oral lesions were recruited for this study. Standard parasitological methods (direct microscopy, saline and iodine wet preparations, Giemsa-Romanosky staining of smears and culture) were adopted in analysis of randomly collected six hundred and five samples (469 from females; 136 from males) for parasites.

Results: No ova, cyst, trophoziotes, lava or segment of parasites were seen in the oral lesions identified among the studied population.

Conclusion: Parasites were absent and therefore may not be implicated as etiologic microbial agents of observed oral lesions associated with HIV infected and AIDS patients living in South Western Uganda

Key words: Parasites, Oral lesions, HIV/AIDS, Uganda.