Sutherland LR, Gill MJ, Bryant HE, Church D; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 1992 Jul 19-24; 8: 138 (abstract no. PuB 7536).

University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

OBJECTIVES: The determinants of HIV enteropathy are unknown. We wished to examine the relationship between HIV enteropathy and the gut microflora. METHODS: Forty-four HIV positive homosexual/bisexual subjects were recruited from the practices of specialists in infectious diseases in Calgary. Participants were classified in terms of symptoms of HIV enteropathy, (diarrhea greater than 1 month's duration), and were compared to other HIV patients without persistent diarrhea. For comparative purposes a control group of HIV negative homosexual/bisexual men was also recruited. All subjects underwent complete hematological, biochemical, endoscopic (esophagogastroduodenoscopy and rigid sigmoidoscopy) and microbiological assessments. RESULTS: Eighteen patients had persistent diarrhea. Subsequent investigations revealed pathogens in two leaving 16 patients who met the definition of HIV enteropathy (Group I). The remaining 26 HIV positive patients without diarrhea formed Group II. Eight HIV negative men formed Group III. Calorie counts based on 7 day weighed dietary records were similar for all groups. CD4 counts were significantly reduced in Group I patients compared to Group II (mean 291 vs 517 x 10(6)/ml p less than 0.05). A greater proportion of Group I patients were in CDCIV compared to Group II (75% vs 27%, p less than 0.003). Stool examination for the parasites G. lamblia, E. histolytica, E. nana, E. coli, and E. hartmanni revealed significant differences between Groups I, II and III respectively (37.5%, 75%, 75%, P less than 0.02). Only two Group I patients received metronidazole in the past month prior to assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Stool parasites are common in homosexual/bisexual males. The reduced prevalence of parasites in patients with HIV enteropathy (37.5%) compared to HIV patients without diarrhea (75%) requires further assessment. The possibility that commensal parasites are protective against enteropathy cannot be excluded.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Biomedical Research
• Bisexuality
• CD4 Lymphocyte Count
• Diarrhea
• Feces
• HIV Enteropathy
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Homosexuality
• Humans
• Intestinal Diseases
• Male
• Population Groups
• Prevalence

Other ID:

• 92403598

UI: 102201312

From Meeting Abstracts