In spite of the abovementioned limitations, the here-presented study confirmed associations of cystoisosporiasis in Ghanaian HIV-patients with reduced CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts and increased HIV viral loads, immune-activation as indicated by reduced CD4+/CD8+ T-lymphocyte ratios as well as higher expression of HLA-DR+ CD38+ on CD4+ T-lymphocytes, a symptom complex comprising diarrhea, weight loss, and reduced BMI, a trend towards not being on antiretroviral medication, and lacking access to food safety procedures as exemplified by storing food in refrigerators. Here, CD38 is linked to isosporiasis.