title: Opportunistic infections of the esophagus not responding to oral systemic antifungals in patients with AIDS: their frequency and treatment.
abstract: To determine the spectrum of esophageal disease responsible for dysphagia/odynophagia in AIDS patients not responding to current oral antifungals, we studied 49 consecutive patients whose esophageal symptoms failed to improve after a minimum of 3 wk of therapy with oral ketoconazole or fluconazole. An esophageal candidiasis resistant to oral antifungals was the most frequent disease found (22 single infections and four mixed with viruses). Viral esophagitis was identified in 13 cases (eight herpes simplex virus and five cytomegalovirus), and an esophagitis of unknown origin was documented in two patients. Other causes of symptoms included peptic esophagitis (four cases), esophageal stenosis (two cases), and Kaposi's sarcoma of the esophagus (one patient). Most patients with esophageal opportunistic infection experienced prompt relief of symptoms and complete endoscopic resolution on the specific antifungal (amphotericin B or fluconazole iv) or antiviral (acyclovir or gancyclovir iv) therapy, with the exception of those with concomitant fungal and viral infection who responded poorly to treatment. We conclude that most AIDS patients with dysphagia/odynophagia who do not respond to oral antifungals have an opportunistic infection of the esophagus. Nevertheless, specific antifungal or antiviral therapy is worthwhile, because it will eradicate, at least temporarily, the causative pathogens in most such patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, L. Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Parente
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cernuschi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rizzardini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lazzarin
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Valsecchi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bianchi Porro
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007654:Ketoconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000666:Amphotericin B; D015725:Fluconazole; D015774:Ganciclovir; D007654:Ketoconazole; D000212:Acyclovir