Jahangir Abdi, Morteza Shams, Yousef Visani, Mohammad Karimiyan, Azra Kenarkoohi,
Volume 28, Issue 3 (7-2020)
Abstract
Introduction: Microsporidiosis is an increasing opportunistic infection in patients with HIV/AIDS. There are five species of Microsporidia, including Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Encephalitozoon hellem, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Septata intestinalis, and Pleistophora species that have been reported in HIV-infected individuals each causes a wide range of symptoms. This meta-analysis and systematic review aimed at determining the prevalence of Microsporidia in HIV-infected patients in Iran.
Materials & Methods: Databases of Magiran, Scopus, Web of Sciences, Iran Medex, SID, Pubmed, Google scholar, and Irandoc were searched to investigate the studies on "Prevalence of Microsporidia in patients with HIV/AIDS in Iran". Moreover, the meta-analysis was performed using a random-effect model, and the heterogeneity among the studies was determined using the I2 test.
Findings: Based on the data obtained from the studies, out of 8 studies, 1794 patients with HIV/AIDS were investigated in Iran between 2012 and 2016. According to the results, the prevalence of Microsporidia in patients with HIV/AIDS was evaluated using the PCR technique (0.8-0.18: %95 CI, 13%). The amount of heterogeneity among the studies (P<0.001) was obtained at I2=93.3. The most common Microsporidia were Enterocytozoon bieneusi, D, M, and WL-11 genotypes. However, Encephalitozoon intestinalis, Encephalitozoon cuniculi (genotypes 1 and 2), and Encephalitozoon hellem (genotype 1A) were also isolated.
Discussion & Conclusions: The present study showed that the mean prevalence of Microsporidia in patients with HIV/AIDS in Iran (13%) is close to its global mean (15%). The most common Microsporidia in HIV-infected patients is Enterocytozoon bieneusi (genotype D) which is a common genotype between humans and animals; therefore, the patients should avoid contact with animals.
