THE CONTRIBUTION OF INTESTINAL PROTOZOA TO DIARRHOEA IN CANCER PATIENTS UNDERGOING CHEMOTHERAPY AT NATIONAL HOSPITAL ABUJA

Background: Diarrhoea is one of the most critical health problems worldwide. In addition, vital symptom burden in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, which can worsen the disease condition with poor outcomes in the presence of intestinal protozoa infestations. The study assessed the contribution of intestinal protozoa to diarrhoea in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at National Hospital Abuja. The increasing cancer burden in low and middle-income countries LMICs with emerging intestinal protozoa of public health significance makes it essential to screen such high-risk populations.

Methods: This study was an observational, case-control study of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at the Radiotherapy and Oncology Department of the National Hospital Abuja. Stool samples of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were analysed. Clinical and demographic data, along with laboratory results of the stool assays of the cases and control groups, were explored.

Results: Prevalence of intestinal protozoa in patients with diarrhoea was 24(47.1%). Twenty (39.2%) of the patients diagnosed with intestinal protozoa had complicated diarrhoea as compared with 18 (35.2%) without intestinal protozoa with complicated diarrhoea.

Conclusion: Cryptosporidium, Entaemoeba coli and Entamoeba histolytica were isolated and found to also contribute to diarrhoea in our breast cancer patients on chemotherapy.