title: Enteric cryptosporidiosis in pediatric HIV infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Enteric cryptosporidiosis is a frequent problem in adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, but little is known of its features in children. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and the clinical features of cryptosporidiosis in HIV-infected children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five children with symptomatic HIV infection were screened every 2 months, and in case of diarrhea, for the presence of Cryptosporidium. Intestinal function tests were performed, and the fecal osmotic gap was measured in children with cryptosporidiosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy episodes of diarrhea occurred in 16 children in a median period of 17 months. Cryptosporidium was detected in five cases, all with full-blown acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Cryptosporidiosis was significantly more protracted than any other form of diarrhea and was associated with dehydration and severe weight loss. Intestinal function was not modified during cryptosporidiosis. Osmotic gap values were consistent with secretory rather than osmotic diarrhea. In four cases, recovery was observed without specific treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Enteric cryptosporidiosis is a severe problem in advanced stages of HIV infection. It does not induce intestinal malabsorption. It induces diarrhea of secretory type. Recovery may be observed independently of therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guarino
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castaldo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Spagnuolo
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Canani
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tarallo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: DiBenedetto
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rubino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000032:analysis; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000502:physiology; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes