Small intestinal structure and function in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): evidence for HIV-induced enteropathy

Article Abstract:

Opportunistic infections and secondary malignancies often occur in the gastrointestinal tract in patients who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Patients infected with HIV suffer gastrointestinal symptoms such as weight loss, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The cause of these symptoms is not clear. Recently, HIV has been isolated in the mucosa of the intestines and it is thought that the virus itself may be the cause of the gastrointestinal symptoms. However, there has not been a complete correlation between the presence of HIV in the intestinal mucosa and the presence of clinical symptoms. A study was conducted to see if HIV infection caused impairment of structure and function of the small intestine. Duodenal biopsies from 45 patients who were infected with HIV and had gastrointestinal symptoms were examined for morphological changes under the microscope and with enzyme histochemical techniques. In 15 out of 38 patients, HIV-infected cells were found in the intestinal mucosa. Low-grade atrophy, or degeneration of cells, as evidenced by morphological changes in the intestinal tissue was detected. Fifteen out of 25 patients had decreased or no detectable lactase activity in the brush border cells of the intestine, which is indicative of decreased enzymatic activity of these cells, which in turn could be a reason for malabsorption of patients infected with HIV. HIV-infected patients without additional intestinal infections had low levels of mitosis in the intestine, indicating low numbers of dividing cells and perhaps a maturational defect in the cells of the intestine. Therefore, the symptoms in the gastrointestinal tract may, at least in part, be caused by HIV itself. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Abnormalities, Complications and side effects, HIV (Viruses), HIV, AIDS (Disease), Gastrointestinal diseases, Intestinal absorption

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Stool viruses, coinfections, and diarrhea in HIV-infected patients

Article Abstract:

Adenovirus and coronavirus may be the cause of diarrhea in patients infected with HIV. Seventy percent of the stool samples of 256 HIV-infected patients with diarrhea contained a minimum of one intestinal pathogen. Adenovirus and coronavirus were detected more frequently in the stool samples of HIV-infected patients with diarrhea than those without. Adenovirus found in the stools of HIV-infected patients may lead to coinfection caused by other intestinal pathogens.

Health aspects, Adenoviruses, Viral diarrhea

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Abnormal predominance of IgG in HIV-specific antibodies produced by short-term cultured duodenal biopsy specimens from HIV-infected patients

Article Abstract:

There appears to be an abnormal production of IgG antibody in the intestinal tract of HIV patients. Normally, the IgA antibody is produced in the intestines, and this antibody protects the intestine from infection and inflammation. On the other hand, IgG antibody may damage the intestine, which may contribute to the development of gastrointestinal disease in HIV patients.

Statistical Data Included, HIV infection, HIV infections, Immunoglobulin G, Duodenum

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