Molecular detection of intestinal protozoa and microsporidia in HIV/AIDS: Implications for diagnostics, co-infections, and global surveillance

Abstract

Yurekturk et al. recently reported the molecular detection of intestinal protozoa and microsporidia in patients with HIV/AIDS in Türkiye, identifying Blastocystis and microsporidia as the most frequent pathogens. These findings add to growing evidence that the pattern of intestinal opportunistic infections in the antiretroviral therapy era is shifting beyond Cryptosporidium. Comparable trends from diverse regions reinforce the diagnostic limitations of traditional microscopy and emphasize the importance of molecular tools for detecting mixed or low-intensity infections. In this letter, we position the authors’ findings within the evolving global epidemiology of HIV-associated enteric infections, highlighting how molecular surveillance can illuminate changes in pathogen distribution and co-infection dynamics. We further propose that integrating molecular detection with immune profiling, antiretroviral response, and clinical outcomes will strengthen diagnostic accuracy and inform public health surveillance strategies, particularly in resource-limited settings.