title: An endoscopic and pathological survey of digestive tract disorders in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus monitored in the Clinic of Infectious Diseases from Tirgu Mures, Romania.
abstract: Gastrointestinal symptoms are among the most frequent complaints of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  An endoscopic and histopathological survey of digestive tract diseases among HIV-infected patients monitored in the Clinic of Infectious Diseases I from Tirgu Mures, Romania.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective, observational study, on a group of 38 HIV-positive patients admitted to the Clinic of Infectious Diseases I from Tirgu Mures, Romania, during 2006-2013, undergoing upper/lower endoscopy. We collected data regarding the results of endoscopy and histopathological examination, CD4+ T-lymphocytes levels, microbiological examinations and outcome. Statistical analysis, performed by using Microsoft Office Excel 2007 and GraphPad Prism 5 programs, included contingency tables analysis and comparing means.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our study depicted a variety of digestive disorders among HIV-infected patients, ranging from opportunistic infections to HIV enteropathy and non-HIV-associated conditions. The presence of Candida esophagitis implied significantly lower levels of CD4+ T-cells (p=0.0043). We found a statistically significant negative association between antiretroviral therapy and the presence of opportunistic infections (p=0.0375, OR=0.2030, 95% CI 0.0423-0.9741). Thirteen (34.21%) patients died, mostly due to tuberculosis and central nervous system infections. All were diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HIV-infected patients experience a wide variety of digestive tract disorders, both AIDS-defining illnesses and non-HIV-associated conditions. Gastrointestinal opportunistic infections occur more often among patients with low CD4+ T-cells levels and in those not receiving antiretroviral therapy. Although digestive conditions did not represent direct causes of death in our study, they may predict an unfavorable outcome in AIDS-stage patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tirgu Mures, Romania; carmen.l.chiriac@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nina-Ioana
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Sincu
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mocan
authors.forename: Lucia Carmen
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Chiriac
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Băţagă
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012383:Romania; D055815:Young Adult