[11 cases of isosporiasis (Isospora belli) in patients with AIDS]

Abstract

The study of 11 cases of isosporiasis (Isospora belli) shows that this opportunistic coccidia, alone or with Cryptosporidium, causes severe prolonged diarrhoea which worsens the prognosis and evolution of AIDS patients. A low prevalence (0.7%) is found in subjects from tropical regions. The results of treatment are disappointing. Bactrim is the only drug found to be effective but prolonged parasitological surveillance is required to detect the frequent relapses, and assess the long-time usefulness of this drug.