home





























 

















 





















hrsa

participating institutions:
Johns Hopkins University AIDS Service, New York State DOH AIDS Institute, The CORE Center, Cook County Hospital



NEWS AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS



Diarrhea and abnormalities of gastrointestinal function in a cohort of men and women with HIV infection [Knox TA, et al. Am J Gastroenterol 2000;95:3482]: The authors studied a cross section of an HIV-infected cohort with a GI evaluation including history, stool analyses for enteric pathogens, D-xylose test, Sudan stain for fecal fat with a 100 gm fat diet, and serum levels of micronutrients. Forty-eight percent had abnormal D-xylose absorption, 40% reported diarrhea, 28% had chronic diarrhea, 23% had low levels of vitamin B12, and 7% had hypoalbuminemia. These results could not be explained in either frequency or severity by the CD4 cell count. The authors conclude that abnormal GI function is common early in the course of HIV infection and occurs in the absence of diarrhea.
Comment: Earlier studies demonstrated an enteropathy with malabsorption in patients with HIV infection that could not be ascribed to specific pathogens. The present study reinforces these observations.
posted 4/25/2001





Copyright © 2001-2002. The National AIDS Education and Training Centers Program on behalf of its AETC National Resource Center. All rights reserved.

Physicians and other health care professionals are encouraged to consult other sources and confirm the information contained in this site because no single reference or service can take the place of medical training, education, and experience. Consumers are cautioned that this site is not intended to provide medical advice about any specific medical condition they may have or treatment they may need, and they are encouraged to call or see their physician or other health care provider promptly with any health related questions they may have.