Intestinal Microsporidiosis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients with Chronic Unexplained Diarrhea: Prevalence and Clinical and Biologic Features

Eighteen patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus and with chronic unexplained diarrhea were prospectively studied to investigate the prevalence and clinical and biologic features of intestinal microsporidiosis. All patients underwent extensive evaluation for bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was found in 9 patients (50%; 95% confidence interval, 27-73) in stools and duodenal and jejunal biopsies. In 8 patients, it was the sole pathogen found. Other pathogens were also isolated from the intestinal tracts of 4 patients, but diarrhea remained unexplained in 6