title: Depletion of neuroendocrine cells in rectal biopsy specimens from HIV positive patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the density of neuroendocrine cells in rectal biopsy specimens from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals with that of a control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Neuroendocrine cells in rectal biopsies were identified using an immunohistochemical stain for chromogranin and subsequently quantified using a method of linear intercept.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neuroendocrine cells were found to be significantly decreased in the HIV positive group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Loss of neuroendocrine cells may contribute to apoptotic bodies seen in this condition. This could be related to infection of these cells with HIV and could contribute to diarrhoeal disease in HIV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, Bradford Royal Infirmary.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: McCullough
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Batman
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Sedgwick
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Griffin
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000473:pathology*; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology*