Enteric pathogens in southern Indian HIV-infected patients with & without diarrhoea

This study was undertaken to determine the carriage rate of various enteric pathogens in southern Indian patients with HIV infection, both with and wi thout diarrhoea. Stool from 111 consecutive HIV-positive patients (50 witho ut and 61 with diarrhoea) was examined by microscopy and culture. Jejunal b iopsy and fluid examination were carried out if diarrhoea persisted, with n egative stool examination. Enteric pathogens were detected from stool in 57 .4 per cent of diarrhoeal patients compared to 40 per cent of those without diarrhoea (P > 0.05), Jejunal biopsy and fluid examination provided 11 add itional diagnoses, Protozoa accounted for 71.8 per cent of all pathogens is olated. Isospora was significantly more common in patients with (11/61) tha n in those without (2/50) diarrhoea (P < 0.05), Bacterial pathogens were is olated more commonly from patients with diarrhoea (12/61 compared to 2/50, P < 0.05). Isolation rate of pathogens was higher from patients with diarrh oea for more than 2 wk, compared to those with less than 2 wk duration. Rem ission of diarrhoea either spontaneously or with symptomatic therapy was ob served in 22 patients with acute diarrhoea. A high enteric carriage of a nu mber of pathogens was noted in HIV patients without diarrhoea, but I. belli and bacterial enteropathogens were more likely to be associated with diarr hoea.