Gastric acid secretion in HIV-1 infection

It has been suggested that AIDS patients may have reduced gastric acid output. This is of concern because gastric acid may be required for absorption of oral antifungal agents that are important in AIDS management. The cause as well as the progression of reduced gastric acid output in AIDS patients is unclear. This study investigated gastric acid output in relation to the stage of non-AIDS HIV-1-infected patients. No statistical difference was found between nine control and 26 male HIV-infected subjects in basal acid output, maximal acid output, peak acid output, or fasting serum gastrin, regardless of stage. Likewise, no relationship between stage of HIV infection and gastric acid output was determined. We conclude that there is no impairment in basal and maximally stimulated gastric acid secretion in non-AIDS HIV-1-infected males. In addition, the clinical stage of non-AIDS HIV-1 infection has no effect on gastric acid secretion.