Background: Impaired intestinal function could account for diarrhoea and we
ight loss, which are common features of advanced human immunodeficiency vir
us (HIV) infection. Methods: We assessed intestinal permeability to lactulo
se and mannitol and absorption of D-xylose in 96 HIV-infected patients (gro
up I: asymptomatic subjects (CDC-A); group II: symptomatic subjects (CDC-B
or C) without body weight loss and/or diarrhoea; group III: 25 acquired imm
unodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients (CDC-C) with severe body weight loss
and/or diarrhoea) and 10 healthy subjects as controls. Results: An increme
ntal decrease in urinary D-xylose recoveries was observed, with all groups
statistically different from each other. Impaired intestinal permeability w
as only found in patients of group III (statistically different from all ot
her groups). Conclusions: These findings suggest a loss of intestinal funct
ional absorptive surface as HN disease progresses. This process may be pres
ent at the early stage of infection. Impaired intestinal permeability is ob
served later in AIDS patients when digestive signs are present, particularl
y diarrhoea.