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Prevalence of intestinal protozoans in French patients infected with HIV

L Cotte1, M Rabodonirina, M A Piens

  • 1Hepatogastroenterology and AIDS Unit, Hôpital de l'Hôtel-Dieu, Lyon, France.

Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
|September 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

In HIV-infected patients with diarrhea, Cryptosporidium was the most common intestinal protozoan. Gastrointestinal investigations effectively identified pathogens, explaining most cases of chronic diarrhea.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Chronic diarrhea and malabsorption are significant complications in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected patients.
  • Identifying causative pathogens is crucial for effective management and improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections in a cohort of HIV-infected patients in France.
  • To investigate the role of various pathogens, including protozoa, viruses, and bacteria, in gastrointestinal symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of stool samples and/or intestinal biopsies (duodenojejunal, colorectal) from 81 HIV-infected patients.
  • Parasitological, viral, and bacterial investigations were performed on collected specimens.

Main Results:

  • Pathogens were identified in 70.6% of AIDS patients presenting with diarrhea or malabsorption.
  • Cryptosporidium sp. (37.3%) was the most prevalent protozoan, followed by Blastocystis hominis (13.7%) and Giardia intestinalis (5.8%).
  • Cytomegalovirus (27.4%) and Mycobacterium avium (5.8%) were also identified; 40% of pathogens were diagnosed solely via biopsy.

Conclusions:

  • Gastrointestinal investigations can explain the majority of chronic diarrhea cases in HIV patients.
  • Cryptosporidium is a major contributor to diarrhea in this population, while microsporidia appear less frequent.
  • Patients with identified pathogens exhibited greater immunosuppression and malnutrition.

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