Diarrhoea and AIDS.

Patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are particularly susceptible to gut colonization or invasion by common enteroviruses resulting in both acute and chronic diarrhea and in wasting. Bacterial overgrowth may also develop in the small intestine of AIDS victims causing chronic diarrhea and malabsorption. The fecal flora of AIDS-infected persons and those of immunocompetent children living in deprived rural environments show many similarities in terms of pathogenic and opportunistic agents. Since gut pathogens are significantly more prevalent in developing countries they are likely to play a greater role in AIDS than is the case in developed countries. Thus efforts to improve personal hygiene and environmental sanitation should be given a high priority in less developed countries. There is no effective cure however for the diarrheal diseases associated with AIDS. Management of AIDS diarrhea is complicated by the difficulties in eliminating the agent and associated symptoms and by the critical condition of the patient. Supportive therapy involves giving oral and intravenous rehydration solutions to correct fluid and electrolyte imbalances.