[Chronic enteropathy of unknown etiology in patients with AIDS. An analysis of 40 cases].
BACKGROUND
Data about the etiology of chronic enteropathy in AIDS patients are scarce and are very dependent upon the geographical area. The aim of this study was to detect microorganisms potentially associated with chronic enteropathy in AIDS patients with diarrhoea for more than one month, and initial negative routine stool bacterial cultures and examinations for ova and parasites. The degrees of associated intestinal malabsorption and immunodeficiency were also analysed.


METHODS
Forty consecutive patients were recruited from January 1993 to December 1994. The following studies were performed: Intestinal absorption tests (d-xylose and 14C-triolein), CD4/CD8 cell counts, microbiological studies (standard stool cultures for detection of bacteria and examinations for ova and parasites including the detection of Enterocitozoon bieneusi spores by the Weber's stain), upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or colonoscopy with intestinal biopsies and blood cultures for CMV and mycobacteria.


RESULTS
The median duration of diarrhoea was 4 months and the mean weight loss was 8.4 kg. Ninety percent of patients had less than 0.1 x 10(9) CD4+ cells/l, with a mean CD4+ cell count of 0.035 x 10(9)/l. Malabsorption was found in 84% of patients. An etiological diagnosis of chronic enteropathy was reached in 60% of the patients. The yield of pathological examination was 37% and the microbiological test using samples of faeces and blood were positive in 45% and 20% of cases respectively. The most frequently identified microorganisms were CMV (10 cases), E. bieneusi (9), enterobacteria (8), Cryptosporidium parvum (5), Leishmania donovani (2). Patients with enteropathy caused by E. bieneusi had lower count of CD4 cells (p = 0.005) and with higher serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (p = 0.02) than patients with CMV enteropathy.


CONCLUSIONS
Stool Weber's stain and CMV and mycobacterial blood cultures should be added to the standard work-up diagnosis in patients with chronic diarrhoea and a CD4+cells count below 0.1 x 10(9) l. Upper and/or lower gastrointestinal endoscopies with intestinal biopsies should be performed only in patients with persistent diarrhea without microbiological diagnosis or a lack of response to treatment.
Moreno Camacho
A
A
Servicios de Enfermedades infecciosas, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Barcelona.
Moreno Martínez
A
A
Valls
M E
ME
Bordas
J M
JM
Piqué
J M
JM
Bombí
J A
JA
Miró
J M
JM
Mallolas
J
J
Gatell
J M
JM
Soriano
E
E
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000150:complications; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000998:Antiviral Agents