title: Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Diarrhea: Still an Issue in the Era of Antiretroviral Therapy.
abstract: Over half of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) experience diarrhea that contributes negatively to quality of life and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Opportunistic infectious agents that cause diarrhea in patients with HIV span the array of protozoa, fungi, viruses, and bacteria. With global use of ART, the incidence of diarrhea because of opportunistic infections has decreased; however, the incidence of noninfectious diarrhea has increased. The etiology of noninfectious diarrhea in patients with HIV is multifactorial and includes ART-associated diarrhea and gastrointestinal damage related to HIV infection (i.e., HIV enteropathy). A basic algorithm for the diagnosis of diarrhea in patients with HIV includes physical examination, a review of medical history, assessment of HIV viral load and CD4+ T cell count, stool microbiologic assessment, and endoscopic evaluation, if needed. For patients with negative diagnostic results, the diagnosis of noninfectious diarrhea may be considered. Pharmacologic options for the treatment of noninfectious diarrhea are primarily supportive; however, the use of many unapproved agents is based on unstudied and anecdotal information. In addition, these agents can be associated with treatment-limiting adverse events (AEs), such as drug-drug interactions with ART regimens, abuse liability, and additional gastrointestinal AEs. Currently, crofelemer, an antisecretory agent, is the only therapy approved in the USA for the symptomatic relief of noninfectious diarrhea in patients with HIV on ART.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System, 423 East 23rd Street, Room 11097, New York, NY, 10010, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Dikman
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schonfeld
authors.forename: Nalinee C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Srisarajivakul
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Poles
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D000465:Algorithms; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000930:Antidiarrheals / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000821:virology*; D019053:HIV Enteropathy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D044945:Proanthocyanidins / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D000930:Antidiarrheals; D044945:Proanthocyanidins; C546704:crofelemer