AEGiS-11IAC: Opportunistic parasitic infections in AIDS patients with chronic diarrhea.

11th International AIDS Conference


Vancouver, British Columbia — July 7-12, 1996

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Opportunistic parasitic infections in AIDS patients with chronic diarrhea.

Int Conf AIDS 1996 Jul 7-12; 11:449 (abstract no. Pub.B.1068)
Velasquez J, Besasso H, Caballero A, Masini R, Bozzini J, Corti M, Benetucci J, Cangelosi D, Macias J, Guarnera E; Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto Nacional de Microbiologia, Argentina. Fax: 54 1 303 2382. E-mail: parasito@malbra.sld.ar.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the parasite ethiology of chronic diarrhoea associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

METHODS: The studied subjects included 45 adult patients with AIDS and chronic diarrhoea. The examination of stool specimens included iodine, Trichrome-blue and acid-fast preparations of direct or concentrated samples. We carried out videoesophagogastroduodenoscopy (VEDA) to visually inspect the mucosa and to obtain biopsy specimens and luminal fluid. Duodenal biopsy specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Giemsa and Azure II. Histologic changes included atrophy, duodenitis or both. Transmission electron microscopy of intestinal biopsy specimens were used for the identification of Microsporidia. Duodenal fluids were examined for parasites.

RESULTS: The average age of the subjects were 29 years (range=22-41). VEDA revealed mucosa changes in 36 cases (80%). Atrophy (5/45), duodenitis (8/45) and both (12/45). Pathogens were observed in histological sections and included Cryptosporidia (9/45), Microsporidia (7/45), Isospora belli (3/45), Giardia lamblia (1/45), Strongyloides stercoralis (1/45) and Cryptococcus neoformans (1/45). In faeces and intestinal fluids Cryptosporidium was identified in ten patients; Microsporidia, two; Isospora belli, two and Strongyloides stercoralis, three.

CONCLUSIONS: Cryptosporidium and Microsporidia were the most frequently identified intestinal parasites. VEDA and biopsy specimens are important to document infections due to Microsporidia, Isospora and disseminated micosis.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Cryptosporidium, Opportunistic Infections, Isospora, Microspora, Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic, Feces, HIV Infections, Staining and Labeling, Animal, Adult, Human, parasitology, ICA11KWDaegis,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,cryptosporidium,opportunisticinfections,isospora,microspora,intestinaldiseases,parasitic,feces,hivinfections,stainingandlabeling,animal,adult,human,parasitology,ica11

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PubB1068

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