Pulmonary Cryptosporidiosis in HIV Infected Patients at Imam Khomeini Complex Hospital in Tehran, Iran: A Case Series

Saghi  Rashidifar; Mohammad Javad  Gharavi; Naser  Harzandi; Zohreh  Momeni; Malihe Hasan  Nezhad

doi:10.18502/ijpa.v20i1.18115

Saghi Rashidifar Department of Microbiology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
Mohammad Javad Gharavi Department of Parasitology, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Naser Harzandi Department of Microbiology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
Zohreh Momeni Department of Microbiology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
Malihe Hasan Nezhad Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v20i1.18115

Keywords: HIV; Cryptosporidium; Pulmonary cryptosporidiosis; Opportunistic infection

Abstract

Cryptosporidium species are a significant cause of persistent untreatable diarrhea in HIV-positive patients, especially in developing countries; however, extra-intestinal instances are rarely documented. Herein, we present three cases of pulmonary cryptosporidiosis in HIV patients at Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Despite the combination treatment with antiretroviral therapy, azithromycin, and paromomycin, the death of all 3 patients occurred due to severe complications. These cases highlight the importance of early diagnosis and management of respiratory cryptosporidiosis in HIV patients with low CD4 counts.