Cryptosporidium sp. and Blastocystishominis Findings: A cross-sectional Study among Healthy Versus Immunocompromised Individuals

Background: Cryptosporidium sp. and Blastocystishominis are widely recognized as opportunistic intestinal parasites among the general population, particularly immunocompromised individuals producing acute or chronic diarrhea. Nevertheless, B.hominis still become dubious as its pathogenesis has not yet fully elucidated. Objective: The study aims to prove the classical findings of the theoretical background, whether or not Cryptosporidium sp. and B.hominis associated with immunocompromised conditions. Materials and methods: The cross-sectional study enrolled 52 participants then divided into two groups: HIV positive (29 patients) and healthy individuals (23 patients) who involuntarily provide their feces for microscopic parasitic examination in Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia. All data were presented in bivariate mode to undergo further statistical analysis using chi-square test. Results: There are descriptive findings proved that B.hominis found mostly among HIV positive (7 samples) while only two positive samples in the immunocompetent group, yet no significant association between the infection and HIV status has been obtained (p= 0.144; OR 0.299 95%CI 0.056- 1.608). Similarly, it was also not statistically proven that Cryptosporidium sp. infection and HIV status havea significant relationship (p= 0.197; OR 4.20 95%CI 0.407- 43.374). Conclusions: In addition to its uncertain pathogenesis, B.hominis still become neglected parasitic infection among HIV population while Cryptosporidium sp. confounds by other factors, mainly CD4 count of each individual for the infection to occur.