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Probable neutropenic enterocolitis in patients with AIDS.
A F Cutrona1, R J Blinkhorn, J Crass
1Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio 44109.
Reviews of Infectious Diseases
|September 1, 1991
Summary
Neutropenic enterocolitis, a condition typically seen in leukemia patients, can also occur in individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This report details two AIDS patients experiencing mild neutropenic enterocolitis, successfully treated with conservative measures.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
Background:
- Neutropenic enterocolitis (NE) is a known complication in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing chemotherapy.
- It is characterized by inflammation and necrosis of the intestinal tract, often presenting with fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Observation:
- This report describes two cases of probable neutropenic enterocolitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
- These patients presented with moderate neutropenia during their illness.
- The syndrome has not been previously documented in patients with AIDS.
Findings:
- Both AIDS patients exhibited a mild form of enterocolitis.
- Clinical manifestations included fever, abdominal pain, and colonic edema, which was clearly visualized by computed tomography (CT) scans.
- Successful management was achieved through conservative treatment.
Implications:
- Neutropenic enterocolitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of fever and abdominal pain in patients with AIDS.
- Early recognition and conservative management, including cessation of marrow-suppressive drugs and broad-spectrum antibiotics, can lead to favorable outcomes.
- This finding expands the clinical spectrum of neutropenic enterocolitis to include immunocompromised patients with HIV/AIDS.