Related Experiment Videos
Cytomegalovirus and Cryptosporidium infections in AIDS: a necropsy study
P Viriyavejakul1, P Rojanasunan, A Viriyavejakul
1Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. tmpvr@mahidol.ac.th
Abstract:
A case of coinfection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Cryptosporidium in an AIDS patient is reported. Chronic diarrhea was the presenting symptom. Etiologic agents were diagnosed only at postmortem evaluation. CMV intranuclear inclusions were seen in the terminal ileum, colon and vermiform appendix. Cryptosporidium oocysts were also present in the intestinal brush border of the colon. Improvement of diagnostic procedures such as colonic biopsy and the use of appropriate staining procedure for AIDS patients with diarrhea can help identify the cause of illness.
Insights
This case report details a fatal coinfection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Cryptosporidium in an AIDS patient presenting with chronic diarrhea. Diagnosis was only confirmed postmortem, highlighting the need for improved diagnostic methods.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients are susceptible to opportunistic infections.
- Chronic diarrhea is a common and debilitating symptom in advanced HIV/AIDS.
- Coinfections can complicate diagnosis and treatment in immunocompromised individuals.
Observation:
- A single AIDS patient presented with persistent chronic diarrhea.
- The patient's condition was fatal, with diagnosis only achieved postmortem.
- Autopsy revealed cytomegalovirus (CMV) intranuclear inclusions in the ileum, colon, and appendix.
Findings:
- Postmortem examination confirmed coinfection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Cryptosporidium.
- CMV inclusions were identified in multiple sections of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Cryptosporidium oocysts were observed on the colonic brush border.
Implications:
- This case underscores the diagnostic challenges in identifying opportunistic gastrointestinal pathogens in AIDS patients.
- Enhanced diagnostic procedures, including colonic biopsy and specialized staining, are crucial for early etiological diagnosis.
- Timely diagnosis of CMV and Cryptosporidium coinfections can potentially guide earlier therapeutic interventions in similar cases.