Occurrence and Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium Infection in HIV/Aids Patients in Algeria

Malika Semmani; Damien Costa; Nassima Achour; Meriem Cherchar; Hanifa Ziane; Abdelmounaim Mouhajir; Venceslas Villier; Haiet Adjmi Hamoudi; Loic Favennec; Romy Razakandrainibe

doi:10.3390/v15020362

Occurrence and Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium Infection in HIV/Aids Patients in Algeria

Viruses. 2023 Jan 27;15(2):362. doi: 10.3390/v15020362.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Unité de Parasitologie-Mycologie El Hadi Flici Ex.El Kettar Hospital, Alger 16000, Algeria.
² EA 7510 ESCAPE, Université de Rouen Normandie, 76000 Rouen, France.
³ Centre National de Référence-Laboratoire Expert des Cryptosporidioses, Institut de Biologie Clinique, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire C. Nicolle de Rouen, 76000 Rouen, France.
⁴ Service d'Infectiologie B, EHS El Hadi Flici Ex.El Kettar Hospital, Alger 16000, Algeria.
⁵ Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie Hopital Central De l'Armée, Alger 16000, Algeria.

Abstract

The estimated prevalence rate of adults living with HIV infection in MENA is one of the lowest in the world. To date, no data on the genetic characteristics of Cryptosporidium isolates from HIV/AIDS patients in Algeria were available. This study aimed to identify Cryptosporidium species and subtype families prevalent in Algerian HIV-infected patients and contribute to the molecular epidemiology mapping of Cryptosporidium in the MENA region. A total of 350 faecal specimens from HIV/AIDS patients were analysed using microscopy, and a Cryptosporidium infection was identified from 33 samples, with 22 isolates successfully sequencing and confirming species and subtypes. Based on sequence analysis, 15 isolates were identified as C. parvum with family subtypes IIa (n = 7) and IId (n = 8), while five were identified as C. hominis (family subtypes Ia (n = 2) and Ib (n = 3)) and two as C. felis. The C. parvum subtype families IIa and IId predominated, suggesting potential zoonotic transmission. More extensive sampling of both humans and farm animals, especially sheep, goats and calves, as well as a collection of epidemiological data are needed for a better understanding of the sources of human C. parvum infections in Algeria.

Keywords: Algeria; Cryptosporidium; HIV/AIDS patients; MENA region; molecular epidemiology.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome*
Adult
Algeria / epidemiology
Animals
Cryptosporidiosis* / epidemiology
Cryptosporidium* / genetics
Goats
HIV Infections* / complications
HIV Infections* / epidemiology
Humans
Sheep

Grants and funding

This work was partly supported by a grant from the Région Normandie (GRR Chimie Biologie Santé, réseau sécurité sanitaire, Grant #16b06801GR). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. The authors gratefully thank Santé Publique France for their funding of CNR-LE cryptosporidiosis activities.