GASTRIC CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS COMPLICATING HIV-INFECTION - CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Gastric cryptosporidiosis is rarely reported despite the fact that Cry ptosporidium has been recognized with increasing frequency as an aetio logical agent of severe chronic diarrhoeal enteritis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We report a case of gast ric cryptosporidiosis that occurred in an AIDS patient. Fifteen previo usly reported cases of gastric cryptosporidiosis are also reviewed. Th e review of all cases reported in the literature, including our own, s howed that 12 patients had digestive symptoms. In 14 out of 16 patient s the diagnosis was achieved by biopsy of the gastric mucosa rather th an by examination of the stools. Gastric localization of Cryptosporidi um is a rare and severe manifestation of intestinal cryptosporidiosis in patients with AIDS, and no single drug regimen has yet been found t o be effective in eradicating this organism.