[Gastrointestinal manifestations of AIDS. 2: Bacterial and vh parasitic infections, malignant tumors]

Abstract

Bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) in patients with AIDS are characterized by bacteremia and persistence of the pathogen. Infections with Salmonella typhi murium are common. Infections with atypical mycobacteria (Mycobacterium avium intracellulare complex) mimic Whipple's disease both clinically and histologically; at present no established therapy is available. Among the parasitic diseases of the GI tract, cryptosporidial infection in AIDS patients, predominantly in tropical countries, plays an important role for epidemiological reasons. It leads to profuse watery diarrhea that does not respond to drug treatment. The AIDS-specific Kaposi's sarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma may have manifestations in the GI tract. Rare complications of these tumors are bleeding, diarrhea and ileus.