Salmonella, Campylobacter and Shigella in HIV-seropositive patients.
OBJECTIVE
To study the incidence, clinical features, treatment and outcome of patients with Salmonella, Shigella or Campylobacter infection.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis.


METHODS
Two dedicated HIV units within a London teaching hospital.


METHODS
All patients with Salmonella, Shigella or Campylobacter infection were reviewed retrospectively by correlating the records of the gastrointestinal and microbiology departments with the computerized records of all HIV-positive patients attending the two clinics.


RESULTS
Between July 1985 and June 1991, 56 episodes of Salmonella, 37 of Campylobacter and eight of Shigella infection were documented in HIV-seropositive patients. Shigella was most likely to occur early in HIV disease, whilst patients with Campylobacter or Salmonella were more likely to have had a previous AIDS diagnosis. Septicaemica was most common in patients with Salmonella and was especially likely to occur in individuals with an AIDS diagnosis. Relapse of infection was common in patients with Salmonella, especially in those with low CD4 lymphocyte counts, those with an initial septicaemic illness and those not treated with ciprofloxacin.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with Salmonella who have low CD4 lymphocytes counts and/or a septicaemic illness should be considered for life-long secondary prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin because of the high rate of relapse observed. Administration of zidovudine or cotrimoxazole as prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia may prevent the development of salmonellosis: significantly fewer patients with this infection were taking these drugs than patients with Campylobacter.
HIV/GUM Unit, St Stephen's Clinic, Westminster Hospital, London, UK.
M R
MR
Nelson
D C
DC
Shanson
D A
DA
Hawkins
B G
BG
Gazzard
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004405:Dysentery, Bacillary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D015215:Zidovudine; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination