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UNAIR NEWS – Since the first HIV-AIDS disease was discovered in Indonesia in 1987 in Bali, to date, its spread has shown significant improvement. There are 336 districts / cities among 498 districts / cities in Indonesia which have HIV-AIDS.

In 2016, the number of HIV-AIDS cases in Indonesia reached 300,000 cases. Meanwhile, the estimated number of HIV-AIDS cases now has reached 600,000 cases. The problem in relation to the disease is the tendency to the incidence rate which leads to high mortality rate. That was the focus of Prof. Dr. dr. R. Heru Prasetyo, MS, Sp.ParK., new professor of Faculty of Medicine (FK) ¶«¾©ÈÈ , in his professorship inaugural oration on Thursday, December 14.

Professor of Medical Parasitology said that one of the factors causing the increase in mortality rate is the failure of treatment due to delays in diagnosis of opportunistic infections.

“Opportunistic infections are the cause (of death, ed) for people with HIV-AIDS. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, the United States Department of Health and Human Services based in DeKalb County, Georgia) has categorized opportunistic infections as new emerging disease group, ” he explained.

Prof. Heru added, opportunistic infections firstly known at the beginning of the HIV epidemic event marked by clinical complications that cause chronic diarrhea and increased the mortality rate of HIV patients. Previously, opportunistic infections were rare in humans, but in animals. It is now known to have spread in developing countries.

There is 90 percent of patients with immune deficiency have complications of chronic diarrhea, mainly due to opportunistic infection of Cryptosporidium protozoa parasites. The infection causes diarrheal disease called Cryptosporidiosis.

“Cryptosporidiosis has been reported worldwide. The sufferers aged from three days to 95 years, “said Prof. Heru.

Cryptosporidiosis in HIV-AIDS

Prof. Heru explained that cryptosporidiosis in people with HIV-AIDS with diarrhea varies geographically, especially in developing countries and tropical regions. Prasetyo (2010) reported the results of the study, that 122 HIV-AIDS sufferers hospitalized in UPIPI RSUD Dr. Soetomo Surabaya for chronic diarrhea. There were 64 (52.46 percent) of the faecal waste positive for Cryptosporidium parasite.

In people with HIV-AIDS, Cryptosporidiosis occurs due to fecal contact during anal-oral sex. Prasetyo (2012) have shown that homosexual people with HIV-AIDS are more likely to be affected by cryptosporidiosis than the normal ones.

“To be highlighted, intestinal cryptosporidiosis in people with HIV-AIDS can be spread to the lungs and sometimes misinterpreted as symptoms of tuberculosis,” said Prof. Heru.

Honey Potential

Extensive distribution of Cryptosporidium, according to Prof. Heru, makes the preventive measures more difficult. Individual sanitation and hygiene improvements can be done especially those at high risk, individuals with immune deficiency. The trick is limiting sexual activity and contact with animals including for the ODHA (people with HIV-AIDS).

In addition, social factors also reduce the greater potential of ODHA. Prof. Heru said, efforts to reduce the spread of HIV and the prevention of opportunistic infections in people living with HIV AIDS all this time is with the provision of ARV (Anti Retro Virus).

Meanwhile, honey has potential in efforts to prevent and reduce the virus. Related to HIV-AIDS, researchers at the School of Medicine-Washington University have been doing research with bee sting poison. The results show, bee stings will cover the T cells or lymphocytes as HIV targets so virus is unable to recognize its target.

Prof. Heru revealed, as well as in UPIPI team research RSU Dr.. Soetomo Surabaya in animals, honey can act as a stimulant stem cells of the intestine to regenerate, replace and repair if there is damage to the epithelium of the small intestine. Thus, the intake of honey is also expected to be applied in the regeneration of HIV / AIDS sufferers who suffered intestinal mucosal damage due to opportunistic infection of Cryptosporidium .

“Improvement of the intestinal epithelium will improve the immunity of intestinal mucus so that it can fortify itself from opportunistic infections of Cryptosporidium parasites ,” Prof. Heru added. (*)

Author: Feri Fenoria

Editor: Nuri Hermawan