Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2026
Sequencing of Bacterial Microflora in Peripheral Blood: our Experience with HIV-infected Patients
Published on: June 11, 2011
Diarrheal morbidity during the first 2 years of life among HIV-infected infants
K L Kotloff1, J P Johnson, P Nair
1Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21201.
Insights
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected infants experience more diarrhea than uninfected infants. Persistent diarrhea in these infants indicates severe HIV disease progression and increased opportunistic infections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Infants infected perinatally with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are susceptible to various health complications.
- Diarrhea is a common concern in early childhood, and its impact may be amplified in immunocompromised infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence, causes, and patterns of diarrhea in infants during their first two years of life.
- To compare diarrheal disease in infants infected with HIV versus those who are not infected.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal cohort study followed 58 infants (18 HIV-infected, 40 HIV-uninfected) from birth up to 15 months.
- Biweekly surveillance for diarrhea occurrence was conducted.
- Stool specimens were analyzed for enteropathogens, and HIV status was confirmed.
Main Results:
- HIV-infected infants had a significantly higher incidence of diarrhea (3.2 episodes/12 child-months) compared to uninfected infants (1.5 episodes/12 child-months).
- Persistent diarrhea (≥14 days) was more frequent in HIV-infected infants and associated with more severe HIV infection (lower CD4+ counts, more opportunistic infections).
- The peak incidence of diarrhea occurred earlier in HIV-infected infants (0-5 months) than in uninfected infants (6-11 months).
Conclusions:
- Both acute and persistent diarrhea represent significant sources of morbidity in HIV-infected infants.
- Persistent diarrhea serves as a critical clinical marker for the rapid progression of HIV disease in infants.
Objective:
To determine the incidence, cause, and patterns of diarrhea during the first 2 years of life among infants infected perinatally with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Design:
A cohort study in which infants were enrolled shortly after birth and followed up longitudinally using biweekly surveillance for the occurrence of diarrhea. Stool specimens collected at the onset of diarrhea were evaluated for enteropathogens. Infants who were infected with HIV were compared with uninfected infants.
Subjects:
Infants born to HIV-infected women at the University of Maryland Hospital, Baltimore, were recruited at 0 to 3 months of age. This analysis included 58 infants enrolled in the cohort and followed up at least 15 months (unless death intervened) whose HIV status was established (18 HIV-infected infants and 40 HIV-uninfected infants).
Measurements And Results:
The overall incidence of diarrhea in HIV-infected infants was 3.2 episodes per 12 child-months compared with 1.5 episodes per 12 child-months among HIV-uninfected infants (incidence density ratio, 2.2; P < .05). An enteropathogen was identified in stool specimens collected during 20% of diarrheal episodes occurring in HIV-infected infants and during 25% of diarrheal episodes occurring in HIV-uninfected infants. Episodes that persisted for 14 days or longer were significantly more common among HIV-infected infants. The peak incidence of diarrhea occurred at 0 to 5 months of age for HIV-infected infants compared with 6 to 11 months for HIV-uninfected infants. Early onset of diarrhea (< 6 months old) in HIV-infected infants was associated with the later development of persistent episodes of diarrhea, and those with persistent episodes had more severe HIV infection, characterized by a significantly higher frequency of opportunistic infections and lower CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts by 1 year of age.
Conclusion:
Both acute and persistent episodes of diarrhea are major sources of morbidity in HIV-infected infants. Moreover, persistent diarrhea is a marker for rapid progression of HIV disease.
More Related Videos
08:12Isolation of Leukocytes from Human Breast Milk for Use in an Antibody-dependent Cellular Phagocytosis Assay of HIV Targets
Published on: September 6, 2019
09:36Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers
Published on: July 28, 2022
Related Concept Videos
01:22Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
01:25Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
01:25Cholera
01:12Giardiasis
01:28Amebiasis