Isosporiasis

August 2003     View PDF     En español
Reprinted from www.aidsmeds.com, US

Can isosporiasis be prevented?

The most effective way to prevent isosporiasis is to avoid its sources—mainly potentially contaminated foods or human feces. This is particularly true for HIV-positive people with compromised immune systems raveling to tropical and subtropical countries where water and food could be contaminated. Drinking bottled water and making sure that food is cooked properly can help reduce the risk of isosporiasis while raveling to tropical and subtropical areas.

Drugs used to prevent isosporiasis (prophylaxis) are, for the most part, the same as those used to prevent Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX; Bactrim™, Septra®) is the most effective combination of drugs used to prevent PCP and to treat isosporiasis. And because PCP prophylaxis is generally started when a person’s T-cell count falls below 200, he or she should be well protected against Isospora belli in the event he or she is exposed to this protozoan.