Lower prevalence of Entamoeba species in children with vertically transmitted HIV infection in Western Kenya

A cross-sectional molecular epidemiological study of Entamoeba species was conducted among asymptomatic Kenyan children with (n=123) and without (n=111) HIV infection. The prevalence of E. histolytica was low (0.4%). Entamoeba species infection was inversely related with HIV infection [HIV(+): 29.3% vs. HIV(-): 55.0%, P<0.001]: multiple-species infection was related to higher CD4+ T-cell counts. Thus, HIV infection is not a risk factor for amebic infection, and multiple-species infection can be an indicator of better immune status. © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc