Azithromycin as treatment for cryptosporidiosis in human immunodeficiency virus disease.
BACKGROUND
Cryptosporidiosis caused by the protozoa Cryptosporidium, is the common cause of diarrhoea in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).


OBJECTIVE
To study the efficacy of short-term azithromycin in the management of cryptosporidiosis.


METHODS
Randomised, controlled trial.


METHODS
All consecutive patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), who were positive for cryptosporidial oocysts were taken for this prospective randomised study.


RESULTS
Short-term azithromycin treatment for cryptosporidial diarrhoea in AIDS patients was associated with good clinical improvement but parasitological benefit was doubtful. All 13 patients, who had symptoms of cryptosporidiosis, symptomatically improved with 5 days of treatment with azithromycin and became asymptomatic after 7 days of antibiotic, but stool sample was positive for cryptosporidium even after 7 days of therapy. After 14 days of treatment with azithromycin in 13 patients, in five patients stool was free of cryptosporidial oocyst. The drug was well tolerated in all the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term azithromycin can be used as a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic Cryptosporidiosis but not effective in eradicating Cryptosporidial infection.
Kadappu
K K
KK
Department of Medicine, Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Manipal, Karnataka-576119, India. kadappu@yahoo.co.in
Nagaraja
M V
MV
Rao
P V
PV
Shastry
B A
BA
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin