Epidemiology:

This disease is “distinctly rare” in people with a normal immune system (Tolan). In the US, 0.2-0.3% of AIDS patients have Isosporiasis. Between 1985-1992, 7.4% of foreign-born AIDS-infected El Salvadorians had Isosporiasis, and 5.4% of Mexican-born AIDS patients had the disease. Isosporiasis has been implicated in outbreaks of diarrhea in institutions in the US, such as mental institutions and day cares. A research study found that 15% of AIDS patients in Haiti had Isosporiasis.

There has been an increased incidence of Isosporiasis in AIDS patients, and unprotected homosexual activity has been suggested as a factor in this rise.

Country Information:

The disease is more commonly found in tropical and subtropical climates than in temperate areas, but it is a worldwide disease. The disease is endemic throughout tropical regions. Parts of Africa, Southeast Asia, Central America, and South American all exhibit endemicity.

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