PMID: 9441179Jan 24, 1998Paper

Chronic enteropathy of unknown etiology in patients with AIDS. An analysis of 40 cases

Medicina clínica
A Moreno CamachoE Soriano

Abstract

Data about the etiology of chronic enteropathy in AIDS patients are scarce and are very dependent upon the geographical area. The aim of this study was to detect microorganisms potentially associated with chronic enteropathy in AIDS patients with diarrhoea for more than one month, and initial negative routine stool bacterial cultures and examinations for ova and parasites. The degrees of associated intestinal malabsorption and immunodeficiency were also analysed. Forty consecutive patients were recruited from January 1993 to December 1994. The following studies were performed: Intestinal absorption tests (d-xylose and 14C-triolein), CD4/CD8 cell counts, microbiological studies (standard stool cultures for detection of bacteria and examinations for ova and parasites including the detection of Enterocitozoon bieneusi spores by the Weber's stain), upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or colonoscopy with intestinal biopsies and blood cultures for CMV and mycobacteria. The median duration of diarrhoea was 4 months and the mean weight loss was 8.4 kg. Ninety percent of patients had less than 0.1 x 10(9) CD4+ cells/l, with a mean CD4+ cell count of 0.035 x 10(9)/l. Malabsorption was found in 84% of patients. An etiological diagnosis of ch...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Antivirals (ASM)

Antivirals are medications that are used specifically for treating viral infections. Discover the latest research on antivirals here.

Antivirals

Antivirals are medications that are used specifically for treating viral infections. Discover the latest research on antivirals here.