Isospora belli associated recurrent diarrhea in a child with AIDS.

Abstract

Persistent diarrhea is a major manifestation of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) which might be more complicated in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected children especially those from developing countries. There are numerous reports showing the emergence of intestinal opportunistic coccidian parasites, mostly Cryptosporidium parvum and Isospora belli in HIV-infected individuals. The prevalence of isosporiasis is probably underestimated in developing countries because routinely not all HIV-infected patients are examined for the presence of this protozoan infection. Here we report a case of HIV-infected isosporiasis presenting with failure to thrive and persistent diarrhea. Since I. belli infection in children responds well to therapy with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, isosporiasis should be considered as a treatable infection in AIDS, if it is detected at proper time.