Intestinal Spirochetosis in an HIV-positive Patient

Area of Science:

• Medical Microbiology
• Gastroenterology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection can predispose individuals to various opportunistic infections.
• Digestive symptomatology is common in HIV-positive patients, often presenting with non-specific symptoms.
• Intestinal spirochetosis is a bacterial infection of the gastrointestinal tract.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of considering intestinal spirochetosis in the differential diagnosis of colon lesions in HIV-positive patients.
• To emphasize the association between intestinal spirochetosis and chronic diarrhea in immunocompromised individuals.

Main Methods:

• Case presentation of an HIV-positive patient with costal pain and subsequent investigations.
• Colonoscopy revealing non-specific ulcerations.
• Histological examination for definitive diagnosis.

Main Results:

• The patient was diagnosed with intestinal spirochetosis.
• Intestinal spirochetosis can present with non-specific symptoms like diarrhea or abdominal pain.
• The infection can occur even with a normal-appearing colonoscopy.

Conclusions:

• Intestinal spirochetosis is linked to chronic diarrhea and may be present despite normal colonoscopy findings.
• This infection should be a consideration in HIV patients presenting with digestive symptoms when more common causes are ruled out.