Intestinal absorption and permeability in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.
BACKGROUND
Impaired intestinal function could account for diarrhoea and weight loss, which are common features of advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.


METHODS
We assessed intestinal permeability to lactulose and mannitol and absorption of D-xylose in 96 HIV-infected patients (group I: asymptomatic subjects (CDC-A); group II: symptomatic subjects (CDC-B or C) without body weight loss and/or diarrhoea; group III: 25 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients (CDC-C) with severe body weight loss and/or diarrhoea) and 10 healthy subjects as controls.


RESULTS
An incremental decrease in urinary D-xylose recoveries was observed, with all groups statistically different from each other. Impaired intestinal permeability was only found in patients of group III (statistically different from all other groups).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest a loss of intestinal functional absorptive surface as HIV disease progresses. This process may be present at the early stage of infection. Impaired intestinal permeability is observed later in AIDS patients when digestive signs are present, particularly diarrhoea.
Biochemistry Dept. A, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France.
P
P
Pernet
D
D
Vittecoq
A
A
Kodjo
M H
MH
Randrianarisolo
L
L
Dumitrescu
H
H
Blondon
J F
JF
Bergmann
J
J
Giboudeau
C
C
Aussel
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007792:Lactulose / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D008353:Mannitol / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D015431:Weight Loss; D014994:Xylose / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine
D012709:Serum Albumin; D008353:Mannitol; D007792:Lactulose; D014994:Xylose; D003404:Creatinine