Intestinal absorption and permeability in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients

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.